Metabolic profiles, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of rosehips from Xinjiang, China

This study aimed to conduct a systematic evaluation of the morphological characteristics, phytochemical components, antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolites of rosehips (Rosa L.) distributed in Xinjiang, China. They have significant differences in morphology and phytochemical composition and darker rosehips had higher phytochemical concentrations than light-colored rosehips. A total of 512 secondary metabolites were identified in five rosehip species using extensively targeted metabolomics, with flavonoid (179) and phenolic acid (146) as the main metabolites. Comparative analysis of metabolites among species showed that YL (R. iliensis) is a potential source of food and drug development. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in R. beggeriana (WC) and its variant YL were significantly enriched in the anthocyanin pathway. In addition, the metabolites in R. laxa var. tomurensis (TME) and R. laxa (SH1) were similar but they were significantly different from R. laxa in another floristic region (SH2). These results can expand our understanding of the bioactive components of Rosa species and provide references for improving their utilization, introduction, and breeding.