Widely targeted metabolomic analysis reveals differences in volatile metabolites among four Angelica species

Angelica L. has attracted global interest for its traditional medicinal uses and commercial values. However, few studies have focused on the metabolomic differences among the Angelica species. In this study, we analyzed volatile metabolites of four Angelica species (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Angelica biserrata (R.H.Shan & Yuan) C.Q.Yuan & R.H.Shan, Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav., Angelica keiskei Koidz.) by employing the widely targeted metabolomics based on gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 899 volatile metabolites were identified and classified into sixteen different categories. On average, categorical abundances of volatile metabolites such as terpenoids, alcohol, ketone, and ester were higher in Angelica keiskei than those in the other three Angelica species. The metabolomic analysis indicated that 7-hydroxycoumarin and Z-ligustilide were accumulated at significantly higher levels in Angelica sinensis, whereas the opposite pattern was observed for bornyl acetate. In addition, we found a high correspondence between the dendrogram of metabolite contents and phylogenetic positions in the four species. This study provides a biochemical map for the exploitation, application and development of the Angelica species as medicinal plants or health-related dietary supplements. Highlights Eight hundred and ninety-nine volatile metabolites were identified in four Angelica species. Medicinal plants differed in the accumulation of volatile compounds: Angelica keiskei is rich in bornyl acetate, while Angelica sinensis is rich in 7-hydroxycoumarin and Z-ligustilide. Angelica keiskei exhibited high diversity and abundance of effective volatile compounds, and demonstrated its profound potential for industrial applications.