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Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb. cv. Tiegun), a type of homologous medicinal plant, mainly grows in sandy soil (SCY) and loessial soil (LCY). However, the effects of the soil on the metabolites in SCY and LCY remain unclear. Herein, this study aims to comprehensively elucidate the metabolites in SCY and LCY. A UPLC-MS/MS-based, widely targeted metabolomics approach was adapted to compare the chemical composition of SCY and LCY. A total of 988 metabolites were detected, including 443 primary metabolites, 510 secondary metabolites, and 35 other compounds. Notably, 177 differential metabolites (classified into 12 categories) were identified between SCY and LCY; among them, 85.9% (152 differential metabolites) were upregulated in LCY. LCY significantly increased the contents of primary metabolites such as 38 lipids and 6 nucleotides and derivatives, as well as some secondary metabolites such as 36 flavonoids, 28 phenolic acids, 13 alkaloids, and 6 tannins. The results indicate that loessial soil can improve the nutritional and medicinal value of D. opposita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioscorea opposita Thunb., a traditional medicinal and food homologous plant, has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine and nutritious food, partially due to the metabolites. However, detailed information on the metabolites in Dioscorea opposita Thunb. peel is still scarce. Herein, an ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole/orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics approach was used to reveal the comprehensive metabolites in Dioscorea opposita Thunb. peel. The proposed method provided tentative identification of 307 metabolites. Among them, 286 metabolites are reported herein in Dioscorea opposita Thunb. peel for the first time, namely: 87 lipids, 49 phenolic acids, 34 flavonoids, 29 amino acids and derivatives, 28 organic acids, 14 alkaloids, 10 lignans, and coumarins, eight saccharides and vitamins, six nucleotides and derivatives, two quinones, and 19 others. The obtained results highlight the importance of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. peel as a promising source of bioactive ingredients, and form a basis for future quantitative and bioavailability studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]