Metabolites in Organs of Evening Primrose Plant Differentiated by Untargeted Metabolomics

Objective Metabolites in evening primrose plant organs were identified for potential applications.

Method Metabolites in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds of Oenothera biennis plants were differentiated using untargeted metabolomics and analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis.

Result There were 3,714 metabolites detected from the organs of an evening primrose plant. The roots had the most dominant metabolites of 612 that were enriched significantly in aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, and phenylalanine metabolism pathways. The stems had the fewest of 127 that resided mainly in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. The 528 in the leaves were associated with the secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathway, and the 578 in the flowers with the Isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis and carbon metabolism pathways. The seeds contained 269 in the biosynthesis pathways of Isoflavonoid and various plant secondary metabolites.

Conclusion The dominant metabolites found in the evening primrose organs varied significantly. The roots were abundant in those associated with amino acid derivatives, the stems with flavonoids, the leaves with phenolic compounds and alkaloids, and the seeds with natural polyphenols.