Assessment of cropping patterns of Atractylodes lancea by mass spectrum metabolomics

Abstract Background: Atractylodes lancea possesses immense potential for application in pharmaceuticals, food and health products, cosmetics, and agricultural production. However, due to the depletion of natural resources, researchers are investigating high-yield and efficient cropping models for Atractylodes . Until now, the differences and changes of chemical constituents in Atractylodes under different cropping patterns and growth years have been very limited, so further exploration and research are needed. Materials and methods: Raw materials for Atractylodes are supplied by Maoshan Traditional Chinese Medicine Planting Company, a laboratory cooperative planting site. The standard product is provided by China Institute of Food and Drug Control. The samples and standards were dissolved in methanol for analysis during October-December 2022. Tests were performed by utrl high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for quantitative and metabolomic analysis. Stoichiometric analysis and metabolic pathway analysis were conducted based on mass spectrometry Results: After conducting content tests, it was discovered that the intercropped biennial Atractylodes contained the required 3% or more atractylodin. After testing, Atractylodes lancea samples did not contain phorate pesticides. On this basis, 411 volatile metabolites were extracted and identified, while 111 secondary metabolites were identified. 36 volatile metabolites and 26 secondary metabolites showed significant differences between the two cropping patterns and different growth years. Through metabolic pathway enrichment analysis, it was found that volatile metabolites had significant differences in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids pathway. Conclusions: The biennial intercropping approach, yielded Atractylodes extracts with content levels that were 1.8, 1.9, and 2.3 times higher than those derived from biennial monocrop, annual intercrop, and annual monocrop, respectively. It was also found that secondary metabolites more accurately reflected the distinctions brought about by the different cropping patterns and growth periods in Atractylodes . Hence, this experiment holds significant value as a reference for developing environmentally sustainable agricultural practices for growing this herb. It can also be used to establish an authentic production area model and for the evaluation of herb quality.