Combination of untargeted metabolomics approach and molecular networking analysis to identify unique natural components in wild Morchella sp. by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Morchella sp. is a typical edible fungus. However, its unique natural products, especially bioactive composition, are rarely reported. In this study, an untargeted metabolomics approach combined with multivariate statistical analysis was employed to screen the differential metabolites in Morchella sp. compared to four other edible fungi. Among the screened 50-top differential metabolites, 18 compounds involving fatty acids and peptides showed higher content in Morchella sp.. A unique peptide of desferriferricrocin was identified. Subsequently, molecular networking analysis revealed three novel homologous compounds of desferriferricrocin, which were annotated as desferriferrichrome, desferriferrichrome C, and a new homolog not previously reported. These results were further verified by quantitative analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of four peptides in Morchella sp..

Automated summary

This study utilized a metabolomics approach to investigate the differential metabolites in Morchella sp. compared to other four edible fungi, identifying 18 compounds involving fatty acids and peptides with higher content in Morchella sp. A unique peptide was discovered, and molecular networking analysis revealed three novel homologous compounds, one of which was a previously unreported homolog. These findings were further confirmed by quantitative analysis, marking the first report of four peptides in Morchella sp.