Comprehensive Lipidome and Metabolome Profiling Investigations of Panax quinquefolius and Application in Different Growing Regions Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Panax quinquefolius is one of the most recognized ginseng species. In this study, lipidome and metabolome extraction methods for P. quinquefolius were optimized with methanol/methyl-tert-butyl ether/water (0.3 mg/1 μL/6 μL/8 μL). A total of 497 metabolites were identified, including 365 lipids and 76 ginsenosides. Comprehensive lipidome profiling was first performed for P. quinquefolius, in which 32.6% glycerophospholipids, 39.5% glycerolipids, 9.3% sphingolipids, 3.3% sterol lipids, and 15.3% fatty acyls were identified. Orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) showed obvious metabolomic differences in two growing regions of China. In the northern growing region, the ratio of bilayer- to nonbilayer-forming membrane lipids (PCs/PEs, DGDGs/MGDGs), the degree of unsaturation of acyl chains in galactolipids, and the content of membrane glycerophospholipids were increased. In the eastern growing region, the synthesis of storage lipids, ceramides, and fatty acyls was increased, and secondary metabolism was enhanced with 24 differential ginsenosides found. The investigation deepens the understanding of metabolic regulation mechanisms of P. quinquefolius.