Tissue-specific metabolite profiling of alkaloids and flavonoids in lotus cultivated in China enables rational resource utilization.

Various tissues of lotus are widely utilized in functional foods owing to their abundant bioactive compounds. However, comprehensive comparisons of metabolite profiles among different tissues remain limited. Elucidating these differences is essential for rational resource utilization. Here, a widely-targeted metabolomic approach was applied to characterize plumules, leaves, and flowers of three lotus cultivars using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. A total of 81 metabolites (46 alkaloids, 35 flavonoids) were identified across all tissues, including 14 newly reported in lotus. Quantitative analysis, based on available standards, revealed abundant total content across tissues (21,806.16-26,631.81 μg g-1 DW), with distinct metabolites showing marked tissue-specific accumulation. Plumules were enriched in bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, alkaloid glycosides, and flavonoid C-glycosides. In contrast, leaves and flowers contained higher levels of aporphine alkaloids and flavonoid O-glycosides, with quercetin glycosides accounting for ∼50 % of total flavonoids in leaves. This study overviews lotus tissue-specific metabolite distribution, laying a biochemical basis for targeted functional food development.