Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals new biomarkers and mechanistic insights on chestnut (Castanea mollissima Bl.) calcification process

et al. 2022

Plants

Phosphorus (P) deficiency affects plant yield and quality, yet at the same time, excessive phosphorus application does not necessarily promote the growth of plants. How to maintain a balance between biomass accumulation and phosphorus application is a problem. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between yield and quality of Bupleurum and phosphorus fertilization, based on three phosphorus fertilization levels (20 kg∙ha−1; 10 kg∙ha−1; and 0 kg∙ha−1). We adopted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to assess the response of primary metabolites of different plant tissues (flowers, main shoots, lateral shoots and roots) to phosphorus fertilization. At the same time, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify saikosaponin A and saikosaponin D, the main active ingredients of Bupleurum. Our research showed that low phosphorus level application has a positive impact on the yield and quality of Bupleurum, especially the above-ground parts increasing the fresh weight of flowers and lateral shoots and the length of main shoots, and moreover, increasing the saikosaponins content in all above-ground parts while decreasing the content in roots which show no significance increase in fresh weight and length. However, high phosphorus level showed a negative impact as it decreases the saikosaponins content significantly in flowers and roots. Furthermore, phosphorus application changed the proportion of saikosaponins, promoting the content of saikosaponin A and inhibiting the content of saikosaponin D in most organs of Bupleurum. Therefore, we can say that high phosphorus application is not preferable to the yield and quality of Bupleurum. To identify the metabolic pathways and special key metabolites, a total of 73 metabolites were discovered, and four differential metabolites—ether, glycerol, chlorogenic and L-rhamnose—were considered to be the key metabolites of Bupleurum’s response to phosphorus fertilization. Furthermore, Bupleurum’s response to phosphorus fertilization was mainly related to metabolic pathways, such as starch and sucrose metabolism and galactose metabolism. Under the phosphorus level, the content of sugars, organic acids and their derivatives, polyols and their derivatives and alkyl were upregulated in flowers. Furthermore, the contents of compounds in the main shoot and lateral shoots showed the same upward trend, except glycosides and polyols and their derivatives.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolite Profiles Provide Insights into Underlying Mechanism in Bupleurum (Apiaceae) in Response to Three Levels of Phosphorus Fertilization

Sun

Duan

et al. 2022

Plants

“…The TCA cycle could increase energy of amino acid synthesis [82] and thereby enhance the contents of protein and amino acid. Most amino acids are primarily related to nitrogen storage and utilization [83,84]. Amino acids are downstream products of nitrogen metabolism, and their abundance increases with elevated nitrogen levels [85,86].…”

Section: Kegg Enrichment Analysis and Comprehensive Metabolic Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Potential Mechanisms in Bupleurum L. (Apiaceae) Induced by Three Levels of Nitrogen Fertilization

Sun

et al. 2021

Agronomy

Bupleurum (Apiaceae) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although roots are the only used parts in China, other countries use the whole plant. The yield and quality of Bupleurum depend mainly on fertilizers, especially nitrogen. The current study aimed to assess the relationship between the nitrogen fertilization level and the quality and metabolomic response of different parts (flowers, main shoots, lateral shoots and roots) of Bupleurum to three nitrogen fertilization levels (control group: 0 kg·ha−1; low-nitrogen group: 55 kg·ha−1; high-nitrogen group: 110 kg·ha−1). The results showed that a high nitrogen level increases Bupleurum yield and quality parameters only in aerial parts, especially flowers, but has no significant effect on roots. The HPLC method was exploited for simultaneous quantification of three saikosaponins (A, C and D), which are the main bioactive components in the plant. It was found that the total content of saikosaponins decreased with high nitrogen fertilization in roots but significantly increased in flowers. Moreover, nitrogen fertilizer promoted the content of saikosaponin A but inhibited saikosaponins C and saikosaponins D in most parts of the plant. To study the response of primary metabolites, we adopted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC−MS) analysis; 84 metabolites were identified that were mostly up-regulated with a high nitrogen level in flowers but down-regulated in roots. Four differential metabolites—D-fructose, lactose, ether and glycerol—were recognized as key metabolites in Bupleurum under nitrogen fertilization. Meanwhile, The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment results explained that the impact of nitrogen fertilization on Bupleurum was attributed to the C-metabolism, N-metabolism, and lipids metabolism. This research put forward new insights into potential mechanisms and the relationship between the quality and yield of Bupleurum and nitrogen fertilization.

“…11,12 LC-MS/MS has been widely used in plant studies, especially in studies of fundamental plant biology and applied biotechnology, e.g., plant breeding and identifying metabolites, natural variations, regional differences and interspecific differences in plants. [13][14][15][16] The chrysanthemum C. morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl., a traditional flower originating in China, is one of the most common floricultural crops in the world and has high ornamental and economic value.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Widely targeted metabolomics platforms based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) are powerful tools for the detection of a wide range of plant metabolites, offering high throughput, sensitivity and reproducibility 11,12 . LC–MS/MS has been widely used in plant studies, especially in studies of fundamental plant biology and applied biotechnology, e.g., plant breeding and identifying metabolites, natural variations, regional differences and interspecific differences in plants 13–16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative metabolomics analysis revealed biomarkers and distinct flavonoid biosynthesis regulation in Chrysanthemum mongolicum and C. rhombifolium

Duan

et al. 2021

Phytochemical Analysis

Introduction Chrysanthemums are traditional flowers that originated in China and have high ornamental, economic and medicinal value. They are widely used as herbal remedies and consumed as food or beverages in folk medicine. However, little is known about their metabolic composition. Objectives The aims of this work were to determine the metabolic composition of and natural variation among different species of Chrysanthemum and to explore new potential resources for drug discovery and sustainable utilisation of wild Chrysanthemum. Methods The metabolomes of Chrysanthemum mongolicum (Ling) Tzvel. and Chrysanthemum rhombifolium H. Ohashi & Yonek. were compared using a widely targeted metabolomics approach based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Results In total, 477 metabolites were identified, of which 72 showed significant differences in expression between C. mongolicum and C. rhombifolium, mainly in flavonoids, organic acids and nucleotides. The flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathway showed significant enrichment among the differentially expressed metabolites. The contents of genkwanin, trigonelline, diosmin, narcissoside, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, linarin, N′,N′‐p‐coumarin, C‐hexosyl‐tricetin O‐pentoside, chrysoeriol, acacetin and kaempferol‐3‐O‐gentiobioside were significantly different between the two species and represent potential biomarkers. Conclusion The types of flavonoid‐related metabolites in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway differed between C. mongolicum and C. rhombifolium. The mechanisms underlying the unique adaptations of these two species to their environments may involve variations in the composition and abundance of flavonoids, organic acids, and nucleotides. These methods are promising to identify functional compounds in Chrysanthemum species and can provide potential resources for drug discovery and the sustainable utilisation of Chrysanthemum plants.