Comparative metabolomic evaluation of Schisandraceae leaves as novel food ingredients: nutritional quality and biofunctional components across genera.
Lu Zhang, Huimin Tang, Jie Zheng, Qiuyu Yu, Hua Wang, Dewen Li +2 more
Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
Abstract
The leaves of Schisandraceae species hold substantial potential as novel health food ingredients, yet their interspecific nutritional and bioactive profiles remain inadequately characterized. A comparative targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on leaves from seven species (five Schisandra, two Kadsura) to evaluate their food suitability. Through conventional assays, we quantified nutritional/anti-nutritional parameters, while GC-MS and UPLC-MS identified 26 primary metabolites and 28 secondary metabolites. Metabolic pathway analysis elucidated interspecific variation mechanisms. Significant differences emerged: Schisandra sphenanthera had the highest nutritional score with balanced essential nutrients, while Schisandra chinensis accumulated more key lignans with reported antioxidant biofunctionality. This is the first food-oriented targeted metabolomic comparison of these species, providing a robust chemical basis for developing them as nutritive or bioactive health food ingredients.