Variation in terpenoids and antioxidant activity of loquat flowers during post-harvest processing: a metabolomics study.

ABSTRACT: Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) flowers are an underutilized resource rich in bioactive compounds, yet the impact of post-harvest processing on their chemical composition remains poorly understood. This study employed a widely targeted metabolomics approach using UPLC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in both positive and negative modes (ESI+/ESI-) to investigate how different processing methods, including fresh samples (FS), heat-drying (HD), freeze-drying (FD), and subsequent hot-water extraction (FSP, HDP, FDP), affect the terpenoid profile and antioxidant capacity of loquat flowers. A total of 193 terpenoids were identified. Freeze-drying best preserved the native terpenoid diversity and yielded the highest total content, whereas heat-drying led to significant alterations. Multiva

SUBMITTER: Duan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818193 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature