Untargeted metabolomics approaches for the characterization of cereals and their derived products by means of liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry

This review is aimed at providing an overview of the application of liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) in the metabolomic study of cereal grains, with special emphasis on wheat, maize, barley, and rice. The significant role of untargeted metabolomics in identifying and quantifying metabolites is highlighted, thereby elucidating biochemical pathways involved in flavour, disease detection, and the development of disease-resistant varieties. The use of stable isotope labelling for enhanced compound annotation and the exploration of metabolic pathways involved in plant defence mechanisms and stress resilience are also discussed. The integration of cutting-edge analytical techniques is becoming of fundamental importance to enhance the understanding of metabolic reconfigurations in response to various conditions, thereby contributing to the improvement of cereal quality and ensuring food safety. The potential health benefits of phytochemicals in human nutrition and the role of specific metabolites as biomarkers for crop resistance and susceptibility to diseases, pests, and abiotic stresses are discussed. Overall, valuable insights into the advancement of analytical chemistry and its applications in agricultural science are provided by this review.