Systematic profiling and bioactivity evaluation of Jiuzao from light flavor baijiu: A by-product rich in bioactive...

Despite being rich in bioactive compounds, Jiuzao of light flavor Baijiu (LFB) remains an underutilized by-product due to limited systematic characterization of its components and lack of efficient valorization strategies. In this study, widely targeted metabolomics was used to comprehensively analyze the water-soluble metabolites in the enzymatic hydrolysate (JEH) and water extract (JWE) of Jiuzao from LFB, and 1869 metabolites (with 887 novel compounds) were identified, including 128 bioactive compounds from traditional Chinese medicine and 95 functional peptides. JEH exhibited superior anti-glycation and antioxidant activities, with inhibition rates of 66.20% and 86.76% against Amadori products and AGEs, respectively, at a concentration of 20 mg/mL. In H₂O₂-stressed HaCaT cells, 0.10 mg/mL JEH reduced ROS levels by 61.46% while significantly increasing SOD and GSH-Px activities. This work provides a systematic method for bioactive compound discovery from agricultural by-products and a scientific basis for the development of Jiuzao-derived natural antioxidants and antiglycation agents.