Metabolomics analysis of substance differences and biomarkers in cigar tobacco leaves from Yunnan and Foreign

There is still a lack of systematic identification of the substance components of cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs) produced under different ecological conditions. To clarify the substance differences between cigar tobacco leaves from Yunnan and Foreign and explore potential discriminant biomarkers. A total of 25 CTL samples were selected as materials from 5 production areas abroad and 4 production areas in Yunnan. The metabolic components in CTLs were determined by continuous flow method, ion chromatography, GC-MS and MS/MS. Compared with other countries, the CTLs produced in Yunnan has the characteristics of lower sugar-nicotine ratio, higher starch, pectin and lignin content. The phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, terpenoids, lipids and heterocyclic compounds were the main components of CTLs. A total of 248 and 150 volatile and non-volatile differential metabolites were obtained, which were amino acids and their derivatives, alkaloids, terpenoids and lipids. A total of 12 potential biomarkers were identified for distinguishing Yunnan and Foreign CTLs. KEGG enrichment and MetOrigin analysis showed that the differential metabolites were mainly involved in the biosynthesis of alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, lipids and terpenes. The carbon and nitrogen coupling metabolism mediated by microorganisms and enzymes influenced the composition and content of CTLs. This study provided reference for the improvement of production technology and the analysis of related substances of style characteristics of CTLs in Yunnan.