Benchmarking Non-Targeted Metabolomics Using Yeast-Derived Libraries

Non-targeted analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) is an essential discovery tool in metabolomics. To date, standardization and validation remain a challenge. Community-wide accepted cost-effective benchmark materials are lacking. In this work, we propose yeast (Pichia pastoris) extracts derived from fully controlled fermentations for this purpose. We established an open-source metabolite library of >200 identified metabolites based on compound identification by accurate mass, matching retention times, and MS/MS, as well as a comprehensive literature search. The library includes metabolites from the classes of (1) organic acids and derivatives (2) nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogs, (3) lipids and lipid-like molecules, (4) organic oxygen compounds, (5) organoheterocyclic compounds, (6) organic nitrogen compounds, and (7) benzoids at expected concentrations ranges of sub-nM to mu M. As yeast is a eukaryotic organism, key regulatory elements are highly conserved between yeast and all annotated metabolites were also reported in the human metabolome database (HMDB). Orthogonal state-of-the-art reversed-phase (RP-) and hydrophilic interaction chromatography mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS) non-targeted analysis and authentic standards revealed that 104 out of the 206 confirmed metabolites were reproducibly recovered and stable over the course of three years when stored at -80 degrees C. Overall, 67 out of these 104 metabolites were identified with comparably stable areas over all three yeast fermentation and are the ideal starting point for benchmarking experiments. The provided yeast benchmark material enabled not only to test for the chemical space and coverage upon method implementation and developments but also allowed in-house routines for instrumental performance tests. Transferring the quality control strategy of proteomics workflows based on the number of protein identification in HeLa extracts, metabolite IDs in the yeast benchmarking material can be used as metabolomics quality control. Finally, the benchmark material opens new avenues for batch-to-batch corrections in large-scale non-targeted metabolomics studies.

Automated summary

High-resolution mass spectrometry non-targeted analysis is crucial in metabolomics, but standardization and validation pose challenges. In this study, yeast extracts from controlled fermentations were used as benchmark materials, with a library of over 200 identified metabolites established. The metabolites showed stability over time and are suitable for quality control and benchmarking in metabolomics studies.