Untargeted UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomic profiling reveals organ-specific accumulation of metabolites in Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass.
Gerbera piloselloides (L.) Cass. is a medicinal and edible plant with diverse pharmacological activities attributed to its abundant metabolites. However, systematic research on the organ-specific metabolite distribution and accumulation patterns in roots, stems, and leaves remains limited. In this study, we performed a comparative metabolomic analysis of roots, stems, and leaves collected from the same population, season, and developmental stage using untargeted metabolomics combined with multivariate statistical methods, with five biological replicates per organ. UHPLC-MS/MS identified 1,221 metabolites, dominated by organooxygen compounds, fatty acyls, carboxylic acid derivatives, prenol lipids, and flavonoids. PCA revealed distinct metabolic profiles among the three organs. Analysis of differential metabolites revealed 562, 588, and 526 significant metabolites between roots and stems, roots and leaves, and stems and leaves, respectively. KEGG enrichment identified flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid and linoleic acid metabolism as core pathways. These results reveal its organ-specific metabolism and guide rational medicinal and edible use.