Indirect Enantioseparations: Recent Advances in Chiral Metabolomics for Biomedical Research

Chiral metabolomics is starting to become a well-defined research field, powered by the recent advances in separation techniques. This review aimed to cover the most relevant advances in indirect enantioseparations of endogenous metabolites that were published over the last 10 years, including improvements and development of new chiral derivatizing agents, along with advances in separation methodologies. Moreover, special emphasis is put on exciting advances in separation techniques combined with mass spectrometry, such as chiral discrimination by ion-mobility mass spectrometry together with untargeted strategies for profiling of chiral metabolites in complex matrices. These advances signify a leap in chiral metabolomics technologies that will surely offer a solid base to better understand the specific roles of enantiomeric metabolites in systems biology.

Automated summary

Chiral metabolomics is a fast-growing research field, driven by recent advances in separation techniques. This review summarizes the most significant developments in indirect enantioseparations of endogenous metabolites over the past 10 years, including improvements in chiral derivatizing agents and new separation methodologies. It also highlights exciting advancements in separation techniques combined with mass spectrometry, which offer new possibilities for characterizing chiral metabolites in complex samples and improve understanding of their roles in systems biology.