Search Results (692)

Influenced by various physical, chemical, and microbial factors, the aging process of Citri Reticulatae ‘Chachiensis’ Pericarpium (CRCP) poses a complex scientific challenge. Drawing inspiration from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, volatile oils were extracted from CRCP aged 1, 3, 5, and 7 years by steam distillation and subsequently analyzed by GC-MS. The results revealed that the relative percentage of 4-vinylguaiacol (4-VG) increased progressively with aging. Nineteen volatile oil components were further assessed for their glucose metabolism-enhancing activities, with 4-VG emerging as a key active compound. Notably, 4-VG remarkably enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. Moreover, 4-VG demonstrated potent antihyperglycemic effects by upregulating IRS-1/Akt/GSK-3β phosphorylation in the insulin signaling pathway on a high-fat diet and STZ-induced diabetic mouse model. In addition, the metabolic pathway of 4-VG, from ferulic acid and then to vanillin and guaiacol, was verified via HPLC-UV, metabolomics, and microbiome analyses, which confirmed the microbial conversion of 4-VG within CRCP. The metabolic pathway was ultimately validated by isolating and identifying Priestia aryabhattai, Bacillus velezensis, and Aspergillus fumigatus from CRCP, with further in vitro culture and biotransformation experiments confirming its functionality and efficiency. These findings provide new insights and experimental evidence that deepen our understanding of the aging process of CRCP. Full article

The ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock has intensified the search for effective probiotic alternatives. This study assessed the impact of a novel probiotic cocktail—comprising Lactobacillus plantarum AMT14 and AMT4, L. rhamnosus AMT15, and Bifidobacterium animalis AMT30—on the serum metabolome of lambs using an untargeted GC/MS approach. Sixteen Kamieniec lambs were divided into control and probiotic groups, with serum collected on days 0, 15, and 30. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolism in the probiotic group. By day 15, 38 metabolites were upregulated, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, and cholesterol. On day 30, key increases included D-glucose, oleic acid, glycine, decanoic acid, and L-leucine. Multivariate analyses (PCA, PLS-DA) demonstrated clear separation between groups, and ROC analysis identified strong biomarkers with high predictive accuracy. These results suggest that probiotic supplementation can beneficially modulate host metabolism, potentially enhancing immune and physiological function in lambs. This highlights the value of multi-strain LAB-Bifidobacterium probiotics as a promising strategy for improving health and reducing antibiotic reliance in ruminant production systems. Full article

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive tract, with increasing incidence driven by aging populations and obesity. While molecular classification has improved diagnostic precision, the identification of clinically relevant metabolic biomarkers remains incomplete, and targeted therapies are not yet standardized. In this study, we investigated metabolic alterations in four EC cell lines (AN3-CA, EFE-184, HEC-1B and MFE-296) compared to non-malignant controls under normoxic and stress conditions (hypoxia and lactic acidosis) to identify metabolomic differences with potential clinical relevance. Untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) profiling revealed two distinct metabolic subtypes of EC. Cells of metabolic subtype 1 (AN3-CA and EFE-184) exhibited high biosynthetic and energy demands, enhanced cholesterol and hexosyl-ceramides synthesis and increased RNA stability, consistent with classical cancer-associated metabolic reprogramming. Cells of metabolic subtype 2 (HEC-1B and MFE-296) displayed a phospholipid-dominant metabolic profile and greater hypoxia tolerance, suggesting enhanced tumor aggressiveness and metastatic potential. Key metabolic findings were validated via real-time quantitative PCR. This study identifies and characterizes distinct metabolic subtypes of EC within the investigated cancer cell lines, thereby contributing to a better understanding of tumor heterogeneity. The results provide a basis for potential diagnostic differentiation based on specific metabolic profiles and may support the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Further validation in three-dimensional culture models and ultimately patient-derived samples is required to assess clinical relevance and integration with current molecular classifications. Full article

Botanical insecticides have gained interest due to a rising demand for environmentally friendly pest control methods for stored-product protection. The insecticidal effectiveness of the essential oil (EO) obtained from the oleo-gum-resin of myrrh (Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl.), against Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, and the metabolic shifts of the two species, were investigated in this work. A thorough gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) investigation showed that the composition of this EO was dominated by furanosesquiterpenes, specifically, furanoeudesma-1,3-diene and curzerene. Commiphora myrrha EO treatments, especially at 1000 ppm, resulted in high adult mortality for P. truncatus (up to 85.6%), while S. zeamais showed only moderate mortality (up to 25.6%). To investigate the different species-specific effectiveness of the EO, untargeted GC-MS metabolomic profiling was conducted to elucidate the impact of the EO on the metabolism of the insects, with subsequent data analysis employing multivariate, univariate, and network methods. Each species reacts differently to the treatments (myrrh EO versus the synthetic insecticide pirimiphos-methyl (PM)), according to the analysis results. In particular, myrrh EO caused distinct shifts in metabolic pathways that varied between P. truncatus and S. zeamais. Overall, C. myrrha EO exhibits potential as a botanical insecticide, especially against P. truncatus, and it causes metabolic disturbances specific to the species. The results demonstrate the significance of metabolomic technologies in assessing bioinsecticide mechanisms and lend credence to their possible incorporation in integrated pest management methodologies or their contribution to the creation of diagnostic indicators of insecticidal exposure. Full article

Despite the increasing recognition of the role of urban orchard ecosystems in sustainable urban development, the mechanistic understanding of how tree species soil biochemical heterogeneity drives microbial community assembly, the spatial patterns governing microbe-environment interactions, and their collective contributions to ecosystem multifunctionality remain poorly characterized. This study investigated how Prunus species and soil depth affect microbial biodiversity and metabolomic signatures in an urban orchard in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Soil samples were collected from five fruit tree species (apricot, peach, plum, cherry, and sour cherry) across three depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm), resulting in 225 samples. The microbial community structure was analyzed through phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling, whereas the soil metabolome was analyzed by mass spectrometry techniques, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) and MALDI time-of-flight (TOF/TOF) MS, which identified 489 compounds across 18 chemical classes. The results revealed significant tree species-specific effects on soil microbial biodiversity, with bacterial biomarkers dominating and total microbial biomass varying among species. The soils related to apricot trees presented the highest microbial activity, particularly in the surface layers. Metabolomic analysis revealed 247 distinct KEGG-annotated metabolites, with sour cherry exhibiting unique organic acid profiles and cherry showing distinctive quinone accumulation. Depth stratification influenced both microbial communities and metabolite composition, reflecting oxygen gradients and substrate availability. These findings provide mechanistic insights into urban orchard soil biogeochemistry, suggesting that strategic species selection can harness tree species-soil microbe interactions to optimize urban soil ecosystem services and enhance urban biodiversity conservation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) alters maternal metabolism during pregnancy and may impact the biochemical composition of breast milk. Given the critical role of human milk in early-life metabolic programming, identifying metabolic alterations in GDM milk and understanding the effects of insulin therapy has important implications for neonatal health. This study aims to investigate the metabolomic profile of transitional breast milk in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with healthy controls and to evaluate the impact of insulin therapy on milk metabolite composition. Methods: Breast milk samples were collected between postpartum days 10 and 15 from 80 mothers with GDM and 80 matched controls. Metabolomic profiling was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate statistical techniques including PCA, PLS–DA, logistic regression, and ROC analysis. Conclusions: A total of 133 metabolites were identified, and GDM mothers exhibited a distinct metabolomic signature characterized by significant alterations in carbohydrate, amino acid, and microbial-derived metabolites. In particular, galactinol, arabitol, and pyrogallol were significantly decreased, while α-ketoglutaric acid and citric acid were elevated in the GDM group. Insulin-treated mothers showed unique metabolic changes involving glycolytic intermediates (glycerone phosphoric acid), purine metabolism (xanthine), and oxidative pathways (isocitric acid, gluconic acid lactone). Multivariate models based on the top metabolites achieved moderate discriminatory performance (AUC = 0.68). GDM is associated with substantial metabolic changes in transitional breast milk, and insulin therapy appears to modulate these alterations further. These findings suggest that maternal metabolic status and its treatment can shape the neonatal nutritional environment, potentially influencing early metabolic programming. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kimchi has gained global recognition for its unique taste and health benefits, but its quality is totally different according to its geographical origin of materials and production methods. Methods: In this study, differences between Korean (53 samples) and Chinese kimchi (72 samples) were investigated through comprehensive metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS). Results: Multivariate statistical analyses revealed a clear separation between the two groups. Thirty-four metabolites contributing to the separation were identified. Korean kimchi was enriched in sucrose, quinic acid, sinapic acid derivatives, rutin, capsicosin, and capsianoside, while Chinese kimchi contained higher levels of trihydroxy octadecenoic acid, 2-hydroxypalmitic acid, pinellic acid, maltose, glucuronic acid, and corchorifatty acid F. In particular, the univariate Bayesianlogistic regression analysis revealed that among these metabolites, rutin, capsicosin derivatives, and sinapic acid derivatives showed strong potential as origin-discriminant markers of kimchi, providing insights into how these metabolites influence its nutritional and sensory properties. Conclusions: These compositional differences may be attributed to variations in raw materials and production methods of kimchi. Full article

With the increasing consumption of mulberry fruits in commercial markets, flavor profiles have emerged as critical determinants of consumer preference and market acceptance. This investigation utilized four Morus laevigata (Morus L.) accessions exhibiting pronounced variations in fruit pigmentation and flavor characteristics as experimental materials. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF MS) was employed to identify key volatile aromatic compounds, while integrated untargeted metabolomics and transcriptomics approaches were applied to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of flavor biosynthesis. Analysis revealed that aldehydes, ketones, lactones, and heterocyclic compounds constitute the primary volatile organic compounds responsible for M. laevigata flavor complexity. The biosynthesis of these volatile aromatic compounds exhibits a direct correlation with lipid metabolite oxidation pathways. Concurrently, oxidative processes are modulated by M. laevigata flavonoid metabolites with antioxidant properties, which subsequently regulate both the compositional profile and quantitative distribution of volatile aromatic compounds. These findings offer novel insights into the metabolite–volatile compound interactions within mulberry systems, establishing a foundational framework for advancing fruit flavor research and cultivar development programs. Full article

Background: Lophatheri Herba, a traditional East Asian herb with documented food uses, contains bioactive flavonoids. This study investigated how Aspergillus oryzae fermentation modifies its short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and metabolome, and evaluated the fermented product’s impact on intestinal barrier function in mice. Methods: Fermented leaf extracts were analyzed via GC-MS/LC-MS for SCFAs and metabolites. Forty-eight mice were divided into control (standard diet) and three experimental groups (25, 50, 100 mg/kg/day fermented product). After a 4-week intervention, duodenal morphology, colonic cytokines (IL-6/IL-1β), and cecal microbiota were assessed. Results: We identified significant SCFAs optimization. Significantly increased: acetic acid; butyric acid (p < 0.001); isobutyric acid (p < 0.01); isovaleric acid (p < 0.05). No significant change: propionic acid and isohexanoic acid. Significantly decreased: valeric acid and hexanoic acid (p < 0.001). Metabolomic remodeling showed (i) flavonoid pathway activation and (ii) key metabolite upregulation (daidzein, 4,7-dihydroxyflavone, 3,7-dimethylquercetin, aloe-emodin, soyasapogenol M1, etc.). Gut function peaked at 100 mg/kg with 18% higher duodenal villus height (p < 0.05), improved villus/crypt ratio, and reduced IL-6/IL-1β. Probiotic taxa including Lactobacillus, unclassified f__Lachnospiraceae, Dubosiella, and Monoglobus increased. Conclusions: Fermented Lophatheri Herba protects gut health through synergistic SCFAs optimization, flavonoid enrichment, and probiotic proliferation, supporting its potential as a microbiota-targeting functional food ingredient. Full article

Background: The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat and low-carbohydrate dietary approach, has been used therapeutically in drug-resistant epilepsy and other neurological and metabolic disorders. Recent interest has shifted toward understanding its broader metabolic effects through metabolomics. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the biochemical mechanisms and therapeutic implications of the KD, with a particular focus on metabolomic profiling and neurological health. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes findings from the last five years of metabolomic studies investigating the biochemical consequences of the KD and its variants, including the classical KD, modified Atkins diet (MAD), medium-chain triglyceride diet (MCT), and low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). The review integrates data on analytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and evaluates alterations in key metabolic pathways. Results: The KD significantly modulates energy metabolism, shifting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation and ketone body utilization. It affects mitochondrial function, one-carbon metabolism, redox balance, neurotransmitter regulation, and gut–brain axis signaling. Metabolomic profiling has identified β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) as a key regulatory metabolite influencing mitochondrial respiration. Long-term KD use may impact renal and hepatic function, necessitating clinical caution and individualized nutritional monitoring. Conclusions: Metabolomic analysis provides critical insights into the multifaceted effects of the KD, supporting its role as a targeted metabolic therapy in neurological diseases. However, potential risks linked to prolonged ketosis warrant further investigation. Future studies should focus on personalized applications and long-term safety profiles of KD variants across patient populations. Full article

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Current diagnostic tools have difficulty distinguishing between colonization and active infection. This study evaluated the utility of fecal metabolomics in diagnosing CDI in hospitalized patients with acute diarrhea. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study involving hospitalized adults with new-onset diarrhea during admission. Participants were stratified into groups based on clinical and microbiological findings: controls, C. difficile colonized and C. difficile infected. Fecal samples were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS to quantify selected short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, and bile acids. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses included PLS-DA, sPLSDA, and tests with FDR correction. Results: Infected patients exhibited significantly higher concentrations of SCFAs and notable alterations in bile acid profiles. Key discriminative metabolites included isovalerate, propionate, isobutyrate and alpha-aminobutyric acid. ROC curve analyses showed strong diagnostic performance for these markers, with AUC values exceeding 0.85. Conclusions: Fecal metabolomic profiling could effectively differentiate between colonization and infection in CDI among hospitalized patients with diarrhea. These results highlight the potential of metabolomic signatures to enhance the diagnostic precision for CDI. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a polymorphic species that synthesizes an array of bioactive metabolites, with cannabinoids and terpenoids constituting the major chemical classes. Until recently, the lack of legislative framework led to limited research on hemp’s plant protection and nutrition. Biostimulants have recently attracted scientific attention as sustainable alternatives to plant protection products (PPPs). Herein, we investigated the effects of biostimulant harpin (αβ) proteins and the PPP polysaccharide laminarin on hemp (cv. Futura 75), employing GC/EI/MS and ¹H NMR metabolomics. Analyses demonstrated that treatments induced distinct shifts in the metabolism of the plants, thus, enabling the discovery of metabolite-biomarkers of physiological adaptation, defense mechanisms (α-linolenic acid), and bioactivity (cannabinoids). Harpin and laminarin altered the concentration of bioactive compounds such as cannabidiol, essential amino acids including L-phenylalanine and GABA, salicylate, and caffeate. Pathway analysis revealed treatment-specific modulation of key metabolic networks, with harpin triggering early, yet transient activation of phenylpropanoid- and amino acid-related pathways before broad repression, whereas laminarin maintained a more balanced regulation, sustaining defense-related biosynthesis while preserving core primary metabolism. Results advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying biostimulants’ action in hemp and support their potential for improving plant health and attributes of cannabis-derived products, providing insights for its sustainable cultivation. Full article

Objectives: This study systematically compared the differences in egg quality between the BIAN chicken, an indigenous breed of Shanxi Province, and the Hy-Line Brown, a commercial breed, through the integration of non-targeted metabolomics and volatile flavoromics methods. Methods: A total of 675 metabolites and 84 volatile flavor compounds were identified in eggs from 300-day-old laying hens using LC-MS and GC × GC-TOF MS techniques. Results: BIAN chicken eggs exhibited notable advantages in flavor quality. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) of 1-octen-3-ol, a key flavor component, was 27.01 in BIAN compared with 13.46 in Hy-Line Brown, contributing to the characteristic mushroom aroma of BIAN eggs. Furthermore, the levels of heptaldehyde, 2-pentylfuran, and styrene in BIAN chicken eggs were significantly elevated, contributing to its characteristic flavor profile. Metabolomic analysis identified 40 breed-specific metabolites in BIAN chicken, with 21 up-regulated and 19 down-regulated. These metabolites were primarily involved in biological processes such as α-linolenic acid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, highlighting the distinctive lipid metabolism regulation in BIAN chicken. Sensory evaluation based on relative odor activity values (ROAV) demonstrated that BIAN chicken eggs exhibited enhanced sweet, fruity, herbal, and citrus aromas, which correlated with the enriched lipid metabolism pathways. Conclusions: This study elucidates the molecular basis of distinctive egg quality characteristics in local chicken breeds, offering a scientific rationale for the conservation and utilization of indigenous breeds and the documentation of their unique metabolic and sensory properties. Furthermore, it furnishes a theoretical framework for understanding breed-specific flavor development and provides baseline data for future genetic selection and nutritional intervention strategies. Full article

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a prevalent environmental toxin produced by Fusarium fungi, frequently contaminates feed and food products. However, the critical metabolites and regulatory factors involved in DON toxicity remain poorly understood. Building upon our established DON-induced porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) injury model, this study employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to conduct metabolomic analysis, and integrated analysis with transcriptomic data from DON-exposed IPEC-J2. Results identified 1524 differentially expressed metabolites, and revealed significant enrichment in Glutathione metabolism and Mucin-type O-glycan biosyn-thesis pathways. Notably, γ-glutamylcysteine (γGC), the rate-limiting precursor for glutathione synthesis, showed significant reduction following DON exposure. To explore the biological function of γGC, this study found through exogenous supplementation experiments that γGC pretreatment could significantly alleviate the inhibition of IPEC-J2 cell viability, effectively reduce intracellular ROS accumulation and inhibit DON-induced apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells. These results indicated that the severe oxidative stress induced by DON is closely related to the blockage of glutathione synthesis caused by the exhaustion of intracellular γGC, and revealed the application potential of γGC as an exogenous supplement in the prevention and treatment of DON exposure. In conclusion, this study offers valuable insights into the metabolic and transcriptional alterations, along with the key metabolites and regulators involved in the cellular response to DON pollution. It also lays a theoretical foundation for more effective prevention and treatment strategies against DON pollution. Full article

Imperial chrysanthemum teas ‘Wuyuan Huangju’ (WYHJ) and ‘Jinsi Huangju’ (JSHJ), dried from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Huangju, are traditional and popular herbal teas in China. However, their metabolite profiles and bioactivities remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively elucidate the non-volatile and volatile metabolites of these two imperial chrysanthemum teas and assess their antioxidant activities and inhibitory effects on hyperglycemia and inflammation enzymes. Thus, we employed a widely targeted metabolomics approach based on UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS to characterize metabolite profiles of the two teas. In total, 1971 non-volatile and 1039 volatile metabolites were explored, and among these, 744 differential non-volatiles (classified into 11 categories) and 517 differential volatiles (classified into 12 categories) were identified. Further, 474 differential non-volatiles were upregulated in WYHJ, particularly flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. In contrast, JSHJ exhibited a greater number of upregulated differential volatiles compared to WYHJ, contributing primarily to its sweet, fruity, and floral aroma. The results of scavenging activities towards DPPH·, ABTS·⁺, OH·⁻, and reducing power demonstrated that both imperial chrysanthemum teas, especially WYHJ, displayed high antioxidant capacity. We also noted that WYHJ exhibited stronger α-amylase, α-glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects owing to its high active substance content. Therefore, this study provides insights into the metabolites of Chinese traditional medicinal herbal teas and highlights strategies for the comprehensive development and utilization of these traditional plant resources. Full article