Base Metabolomics of Snakehead and Mackerel Fish Using LC-HRMS for Tropical Geographic Authentication and Quality Assessment

The availability of local fish species may play a key role in defining the metabolomic foundation of intangible cultural heritage foods, such as “Pempek Palembang” (a traditional Indonesian fishcake). This study analyzed two commonly used fish in Pempek Palembang—Snakehead (Channa striata, Sample 1) and Mackerel (Scrombero morini, Sample 2)—using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to identify unique chemical signatures and biomarkers linked to geographic origin and rearing conditions. Fish samples were collected from two distinct regions in Indonesia: Palembang (South Sumatra) and Jambi (Jambi Province). Metabolomic profiling via principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed 15 distinct biomarkers, including: Nootkatone; 3,9,10,13-Trihydroxy compounds,- 3-Hydroxybutyric acid, 4-Guanidinobutanoic acid, Stearamide, N-10-Undecenoyl derivatives, Phosphatidylserine PS (21:0/0:0), Mycinonic acid, Phosphatidylethanolamine PE (22:4(7Z,10Z)), Lactamide, Gibberellin A3, Valine, Phosphocholine PC (O-16:1(11Z)), Hydroxycitronellal, L-Norleucine. These biomarkers exhibited significant variation based on aquaculture practices (e.g., diet, contaminant exposure) and storage duration. The findings highlight metabolomics as a powerful tool for geographic authentication and quality control in traditional foods like “Pempek Palembang”. Additionally, this research provides valuable insights into the metabolic traits of Snakehead fish, supporting efforts to preserve regional authenticity and cultural heritage.