Research articles

Comparative Analysis of Seed Metabolites of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium and B. chinense Based on UPLC-MS/MS and ICP-MS Techniques

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  • (1. College of Agronomy / State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu China; 2.  Seed Industry Research Institute of Gansu Provincial University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu China)

Received date: 2026-01-26

  Accepted date: 2026-04-20

  Online published: 2026-06-30

Abstract

This study employed ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC- MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to systematically characterize the metabolomic profiles and inorganic elemental composition of seeds from Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (BS) and B. chinense (BC). Using untargeted metabolomics, a total of 4282 metabolites were identified, dominated by lipids and lipid-like molecules (33.60%), organic acids and derivatives (15.50%), and organoheterocyclic compounds (15.30%). Multivariate statistical analyses revealed pronounced differences between the two metabolomic datasets (cumulative explained variance: 91.04%), and 2960 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were screened, with phenylpropanoids and polyketides specifically upregulated in the BC group (VIP≥1, P<0.05). The contents of K and Ca are the highest in both groups, while Na, Al, Mo, and B levels were significantly higher in the BS group than in the BC group. The concentrations of heavy metals in all samples complied with the limits specified in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025 edition). Correlation analysis showed that the BS group was characterized by Na–Al co-variation and Fe–Cr synergy, whereas the BC group exhibited Na–Ca associations and antagonistic relationships between Fe and Ni, Bi, and Re. This study is the first to reveal interspecific differences in metabolites and element accumulation in seeds of southern Bupleurum and northern Bupleurum, providing dual-dimension (metabolite–element) indicators for the evaluation of Bupleurum germplasm resources. These findings have important implications for guiding cultivar breeding and promoting standardized cultivation.

Cite this article

YANG Feng, CHANG Pan, SI Yu-juan, JIANG Kan, LI Qian . Comparative Analysis of Seed Metabolites of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium and B. chinense Based on UPLC-MS/MS and ICP-MS Techniques[J]. Subtropical Plant Science, 2026 , 55(3) : 296 -304 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1009-7791.2026.03.004

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