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Ecometabolomics: optimized NMR ‐based method
Author(s) -
RivasUbach Albert,
PérezTrujillo Miriam,
Sardans Jordi,
GargalloGarriga Albert,
Parella Teodor,
Peñuelas Josep
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
methods in ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.425
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2041-210X
DOI - 10.1111/2041-210x.12028
Subject(s) - metabolomics , metabolome , protocol (science) , computational biology , organism , identification (biology) , biology , nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , ecology , chemistry , bioinformatics , genetics , stereochemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Metabolomics is allowing great advances in biological sciences. Recently, an increasing number of ecological studies are using a metabolomic approach to answer ecological questions (ecometabolomics). Ecometabolomics is becoming a powerful tool which allows following the responses of the metabolome of an organism environmental changes and the comparison of populations. Some Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( NMR ) protocols have been published for metabolomics analyses oriented to other disciplines such as biomedicine, but there is a lack of a description of a detailed protocol applied to ecological studies. Here we propose a NMR ‐based protocol for ecometabolomic studies that provides an unbiased overview of the metabolome of an organism, including polar and nonpolar metabolites. This protocol is aimed to facilitate the analysis of many samples, as typically required in ecological studies. In addition to NMR fingerprinting, it identifies metabolites for generating metabolic profiles applying strategies of elucidation of small molecules typically used in natural‐product research, and allowing the identification of secondary and unknown metabolites. We also provide a detailed description to obtain the numerical data from the 1 H‐ NMR spectra needed to perform the statistical analyses. We tested and optimized this protocol by using two field plant species ( E rica multiflora and Q uercus ilex ) sampled once per season. Both species showed high levels of polar compounds such as sugars and amino acids during the spring, the growing season. E . multiflora was also experimentally submitted to drought and the NMR analyses were sensitive enough to detect some compounds related to the avoidance of water loses. This protocol has been designed for ecometabolomic studies. It identifies changes in the compositions of metabolites between individuals and detects and identifies biological markers associated with environmental changes.