Steam explosion-induced remodeling of volatile metabolites in Lysimachia foenum-graecum essential oil revealed by GC-MS and chemometric analysis
- 1China Tobacco Henan Industrial Co., Ltd.
- 2College of Tobacco Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry
Abstract
Lysimachia foenum-graecum is an aromatic plant rich in diverse volatile metabolites; however, the complexity of its volatile composition and chemical variability remain challenges for understanding and improving its aromatic characteristics. This study aimed to investigate steam explosion-induced remodeling of volatile metabolites in L. foenum-graecum essential oils from Guangxi and Yunnan origins. Steam explosion conditions were optimized using single-factor experiments combined with an orthogonal experimental design, and volatile profiles of essential oils before and after treatment were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate statistical analyses were further applied to identify differential volatile compounds associated with steam explosion treatment. Although the individual optima observed in the single-factor experiments differed from those of the final combination, orthogonal optimization identified a residence time of 60 s, a moisture addition ratio of 30%, and a steam pressure of 1.5 MPa as the optimal combination, yielding an essential oil yield of 0.603% ± 0.009%. A total of 95 volatile compounds were identified from essential oils of the two geographical origins. Although the total volatile content decreased after steam explosion treatment, distinct alterations in volatile metabolite profiles were observed, characterized by the selective reduction of phenolic compounds and long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives. OPLS-DA clearly differentiated untreated and treated samples, and 20 key differential compounds were identified using VIP > 1 and p < 0.05, most of which were long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives, including cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, and (E)-phytol. Despite the reduction in the total GC-MS-detectable volatile content, steam explosion altered the volatile composition of L. foenum-graecum . Sensory evaluation showed trends toward increased herbal and roasted attributes, although these changes were not statistically significant. This study provides new insights into steam explosion-induced regulation of volatile metabolite composition in aromatic plants and highlights its potential as a physicochemical strategy for modulating the chemical profiles of L. foenum-graecum .
Related
- Red and blue light cues drive contrasting remodeling of lipophilic metabolites and photophysiology in natural benthic diatom biofilms
- Multiomics Characterization Identifies S1P-secreting USSHigh Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells as Essential Drivers of Niche Remodeling and Muscle Regeneration
- Plastome‐Based Phylogenomics Resolves Phylogenetic Complexity in Lysimachia and Reveals Unexpected Placement of L. thyrsiflora
- Exploring the Role of Secondary Metabolites in Post-Fire Ecological Memory
- Secondary Metabolites from Munnozia hastifolia (Asteraceae)
BibTeX
@article{li2026steam,
title = {{Steam explosion-induced remodeling of volatile metabolites in Lysimachia foenum-graecum essential oil revealed by GC-MS and chemometric analysis}},
author = {Lei Li and Yongzhen Zhao and Xiao Chen and Changtong Lu and Jiaming Zhao and Haoyang Chen and Gaolei Xi and Pengfei Yang and Miao Liang and Qingfu Wang and Yibo Ning},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1962102},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1962102/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Steam explosion-induced remodeling of volatile metabolites in Lysimachia foenum-graecum essential oil revealed by GC-MS and chemometric analysis
AU - Lei Li
AU - Yongzhen Zhao
AU - Xiao Chen
AU - Changtong Lu
AU - Jiaming Zhao
AU - Haoyang Chen
AU - Gaolei Xi
AU - Pengfei Yang
AU - Miao Liang
AU - Qingfu Wang
AU - Yibo Ning
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1962102
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1962102/full
AB - Lysimachia foenum-graecum is an aromatic plant rich in diverse volatile metabolites; however, the complexity of its volatile composition and chemical variability remain challenges for understanding and improving its aromatic characteristics. This study aimed to investigate steam explosion-induced remodeling of volatile metabolites in L. foenum-graecum essential oils from Guangxi and Yunnan origins. Steam explosion conditions were optimized using single-factor experiments combined with an orthogonal experimental design, and volatile profiles of essential oils before and after treatment were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate statistical analyses were further applied to identify differential volatile compounds associated with steam explosion treatment. Although the individual optima observed in the single-factor experiments differed from those of the final combination, orthogonal optimization identified a residence time of 60 s, a moisture addition ratio of 30%, and a steam pressure of 1.5 MPa as the optimal combination, yielding an essential oil yield of 0.603% ± 0.009%. A total of 95 volatile compounds were identified from essential oils of the two geographical origins. Although the total volatile content decreased after steam explosion treatment, distinct alterations in volatile metabolite profiles were observed, characterized by the selective reduction of phenolic compounds and long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives. OPLS-DA clearly differentiated untreated and treated samples, and 20 key differential compounds were identified using VIP > 1 and p < 0.05, most of which were long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives, including cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, and (E)-phytol. Despite the reduction in the total GC-MS-detectable volatile content, steam explosion altered the volatile composition of L. foenum-graecum . Sensory evaluation showed trends toward increased herbal and roasted attributes, although these changes were not statistically significant. This study provides new insights into steam explosion-induced regulation of volatile metabolite composition in aromatic plants and highlights its potential as a physicochemical strategy for modulating the chemical profiles of L. foenum-graecum .
SN - 1664-462X
ER -