Untargeted metabolomics approach and molecular networking analysis reveal changes in chemical composition under the influence of altitudinal variation in bamboo species

Abstract

Bamboo species have traditionally been used as building material and potential source of bioactive substances, as they produce a wide variety of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and cinnamic acid derivatives that are considered biologically active. However, the effects of growth conditions such as location, altitude, climate, and soil on the metabolome of these species still need to be fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate variations in chemical composition induced by altitudinal gradient (0–3000 m) by utilizing an untargeted metabolomics approach and mapping chemical space using molecular networking analysis. We analyzed 111 samples from 12 bamboo species collected from different altitudinal ranges using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). We used multivariate and univariate statistical analyses to identify the metabolites that showed significant differences in the altitude environments. Additionally, we used the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) web platform to perform chemical mapping by comparing the metabolome among the studied species and the reference spectra from its database. The results showed 89 differential metabolites between the altitudinal ranges investigated, wherein high altitude environments significantly increased the profile of flavonoids. While, low altitude environments significantly boosted the profile of cinnamic acid derivatives, particularly caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs). MolNetEnhancer networks confirmed the same differential molecular families already found, revealing metabolic diversity. Overall, this study provides the first report of variations induced by altitude in the chemical profile of bamboo species. The findings may possess fascinating active biological properties, thus offering an alternative use for bamboo.

Changes in Phenolic Profile and Total Phenol and Total Flavonoid Contents of Guadua angustifolia Kunth Plants under Organic and Conventional Fertilization

“…Compounds of this class, such as maisyn, have been reported for the Poacea family in Guadua spp. 7 and Z. mays . 59 This shows the wide potential for the use of fertilization strategies to produce biologically active compounds in G. angustifolia , possibly maisyn, which is known to have high neuroprotective activity.…”

“…Additionally, peak 3 was tentatively identified as a diglycosylated flavone. Compounds of this class, such as maisyn, have been reported for the Poacea family in Guadua spp . and Z.…”

“…The culm has been the main organ of interest for this plant because it can be used for the manufacture of structures, handicrafts, flooring, and woodwork . Likewise, it has been found that byproducts of the culm production process, such as chips and leaves, are used for pulp and biochar production. , Additionally, its chemical composition and biological activity, associated with secondary metabolites present in the culms and leaves of this plant, have been studied; , furthermore, phenolic compounds such as caffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid 3-glucoside and flavonoids such as quercetin 3,7-dirhamnoside, kaempferol-3- O -rutinoside, violanthin, vitexin 6″-(3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate), and kaempferol 7-sophoroside have been reported in these leaves, showing the potential of this plant as a source of secondary metabolites of interest in different industries.…”

Uncovering Metabolic Alterations in HCT-116 Colon Cancer Cells upon Exposure to Bamboo Leaf Extract Obtained from Guadua incana Londoño

“…From the BLEGI, a total of 46 compounds were recorded, distributed according to chemical classes, mainly consisting of flavonoids, and cinnamic acid derivatives. Additionally, a mapping of the chemical diversity of BLEGI was carried out using the GNPS online platform, where compounds mainly related to flavonoids were found, including vicenin 2 (6), vitexin 2″-O-rhamnoside (13), saponarin or isosaponarin (14), schaftoside or isoschaftoside (15), kaempferol 7-O-neohesperidoside (21), and swertisin (26) (Figure 2).…”

“…To date, this species has been subject to few studies on its chemical composition. It has mainly been reported to contain compounds such as glycosylated flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives [14]. Regarding biological activity, its antioxidant and cytotoxic potential stands out.…”