Combined genomic-metabolomic approach for the differentiation of geographical origins of natural products: deer antlers as an example

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Jun 22;59(12):6339-45. doi: 10.1021/jf200048p. Epub 2011 May 18.

Abstract

The correct identification of the geographical origin of deer antlers is essential to quality control, as its positive physiological effects correlate with chemical components. In this study, we applied both genomics and metabolomics to the origin-identification of 101 samples from Canada, New Zealand, and Korea. The genomics identified deer species in each country but failed to categorize all the samples, due to the presence of identical species in different countries. For identical species, NMR-based metabolomics gave clean separations, compounds specific to each country were identified, and the validity was confirmed by prediction analysis. As the genomics provided unambiguous read-outs for different species, and the metabolomics cleanly distinguished among identical species from different countries, their combined use could be a robust method for origin-identification even in difficult cases. We believe the method to be generally applicable to many herbal medicinal products for which various species are grown internationally.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antlers / chemistry*
  • Antlers / metabolism
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / genetics
  • Biological Products / metabolism
  • Biological Products / standards*
  • Canada
  • Deer / genetics*
  • Deer / metabolism
  • Genomics*
  • Metabolomics*
  • New Zealand
  • Quality Control
  • Republic of Korea

Substances

  • Biological Products