Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Seasonal and Tissue-Specific Metabolic Shifts in Holothuria cinerascens.

ABSTRACT: Sea cucumbers are valuable marine invertebrates known for their biologically active compounds with health-promoting properties. However, research has largely focused on select high-value species, overlooking others with promising bioactive potential. This study presents the first untargeted metabolomic analysis of Holothuria cinerascens from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultra performance liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) to assess metabolic and seasonal variability across three tissues: body wall, gonad and gut/mesentery. The body wall exhibited the highest metabolite diversity, with elevated levels of amino acids and potential triterpene glycosides, likely linked to stress or defence res

SUBMITTER: Upton C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12860522 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature