Comparative metabolomics of Lycium barbarum seeds from different regions: variations in bioactive compounds and...

This study applied non-targeted metabolomics to investigate the metabolite composition and antioxidant capacity of Lycium barbarum seeds (LBS) from five Chinese regions, including Hebei (HB-LBS), Inner Mongolia (NM-LBS), Ningxia (NX-LBS), Qinghai (QH-LBS), and Xinjiang (XJ-LBS). A total of 514 metabolites were identified, with 362 shared across samples, yet distinct metabolic profiles distinguished each origin. QH-LBS and XJ-LBS showed higher fat content enriched in phenolic compounds and amino acids, while NX-LBS exhibited superior antioxidant activity, strongly correlated with elevated organic acids (DPPH: R² = 0.58) and reduced peptides (T-AOC: R² = -0.60). Differences in the expression of metabolic products among different LBS involve multiple pathways, including glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; flavonoid and flavanone biosynthesis; glycerophospholipid metabolism; and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Latitude is strongly correlated with metabolite variation and negatively influences amino acid and phenolic accumulation. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that geographic origin strongly shapes LBS metabolite profiles and antioxidant capacity.