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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (25): 134-143.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0079

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Non-targeted Metabolomics Analysis Combined with Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity Evaluation of Longan Pericarp and Seeds

WU Wenjuan(), LYU Bolong()   

  1. CTC (Anhui) Topway Testing Service Co., Ltd., Xuancheng, Anhui 242000
  • Received:2025-02-06 Revised:2025-05-14 Online:2025-09-05 Published:2025-09-16

Abstract:

This study aimed to analyze the differences of chemical composition between pericarp and seed of longan (Dimocarpus longan), to evaluate their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, thus providing a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of longan by-products. Using the pericarp and seeds of longan as raw materials, non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS) technology, and their antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated. A total of 117 compounds were identified, comprising alkaloids (31 types), organic acids (26 types), flavonoids (19 types), and polyphenols (13 types). The number of flavonoid and polyphenol components was higher in the pericarp than in the seed, while the seed specifically enriched long-chain fatty acid derivatives and esters. In vitro activity evaluation showed that the methanol extract of the pericarp exhibited significantly superior antioxidant capacity [DPPH: (86.65 ± 4.28) μmol TE/g; ABTS: (325.92 ± 13.85) μmol TE/g] and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity [IC50: (22.155 ± 0.136) μg/mL] compared to that of the seed, which might be associated with the pericarp's rich content of flavonoids and polyphenols. This study reveals the potential of longan pericarp for development as a natural antioxidant and antidiabetic functional ingredient, laying a foundation for the high-value transformation of longan by-products and the development of functional products.

Key words: longan pericarp, longan seed, non-targeted metabolomics, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS