Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Organ-Specific and Extraction-Dependent Metabolite Profiles in Endemic Tajik Species Ferula violacea Korovin

Abstract

Ferula violacea Korovin, an endemic Tajikistani plant with purported medicinal properties, remains understudied. This study employs untargeted metabolomics to characterize the metabolite profiles of ethanol extracts and juices from F. violacea roots and seeds. In total, 540 distinct metabolites are putatively identified, 419 of which are previously unreported in the Ferula genus, representing a substantial expansion of its known chemical diversity. The most abundant metabolites are terpenoids, amino acid derivatives, and alkaloids. A particularly abundant group of daucane sesquiterpenoids, sharing a common (6-methyl-azulen-4-yl)cyclohexanecarboxylate substructure, is identified, including known metabolites such as ferutidin and ferutinin. Comparative analysis reveals organ-specific metabolic specialization: roots are enriched in terpenoids, whereas seeds exhibit higher concentrations of alkaloids and amino acids. Additionally, processing methods influence metabolite composition, with ethanol extracts being rich in terpenoids and amino acids, and juices displaying a greater diversity of phenylpropanoid-derived compounds. These findings expand the phytochemical richness of F. violacea and suggest its potential as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for pharmacological exploration. Significance statementThis study presents the first comprehensive untargeted metabolomic analysis of Ferula violacea, identifying 419 previously unreported metabolites for the genus and significantly expanding its known chemical diversity. The findings reveal organ- and method-specific metabolic specialization, underscoring the plants potential as a valuable source of novel bioactive compounds for pharmacological exploration.