Widely targeted metabolomics analysis reveals differences in volatile metabolites among four Angelica species

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Angelica L. has attracted global interest for its traditional medicinal uses and commercial values. However, few studies have focused on the metabolomic differences among the Angelica species. In this study, employing the widely targeted metabolomics based on gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the metabolomes of four Angelica species were analyzed ( Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels ( A. sinensis ), Angelica biserrata (R.H.Shan & Yuan) C.Q.Yuan & R.H.Shan ( A. biserrata ), Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav. ( A. dahurica ), Angelica keiskei Koidz. ( A. keiskei )). A total of 698 volatile metabolites were identified and classified into fifteen different categories. The metabolomic analysis indicated that 7-hydroxycoumarin and Z-ligustilide were accumulated at significantly higher levels in A. sinensis , whereas the opposite pattern was observed for bornyl acetate. In addition, a high correspondence between the dendrogram of metabolite contents and phylogenetic positions was detected in the four species. This study provides a biochemical map for the exploitation, application and development of the Angelica species as medicinal plants or health-related dietary supplements.