Targeted LC-MS/MS and multivariate analysis of growth stage-dependent changes in secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity in the halophyte Limonium tetragonum

초록

Limonium tetragonum is an edible halophyte rich in bioactive compounds. Because secondary metabolite accumulation varies with spatiotemporal factors, optimizing harvest timing is crucial for ensuring material quality. In this study, growth characteristics, total organic carbon (TOC), metabolites contents, and antioxidant activities of L. tetragonum collected from three habitats were evaluated across growth stages from March to August. ANOVASimultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) and Benjamini-Hochberg (BH-FDR) correction were applied to validate observed patterns and quantify the contributions of temporal and regional factors. Collection time accounted for the majority of metabolic variance (76.06%), whereas regional effects were limited (5.59%), and these trends were supported by BH-FDR-adjusted statistics. Mid-stage harvesting (April-June) generally yielded the highest antioxidant capacity, whereas late-stage harvesting (July-August) provided higher biomass with moderate antioxidant activity, although site-specific variations were observed across the stages. In contrast, early-stage harvesting (March-April), when myricetin-3-O-galactoside, myricitrin, and hyperoside were most abundant, was more suitable for hepatoprotective use. These findings provide an evidence-based framework for optimizing harvest timing according to intended functional use, thereby enhancing the value of L. tetragonum as a functional food ingredient.

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