Top

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

Tracking the effect of roasting and fermentation on the metabolites of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) using UPLC-MS analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis

Authors: Sarah S. Takla, Eman Shawky, Yasmin A. Mahgoub, Reham S. Darwish

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Roasting, honey-roasting and fermentation are the most common pre-processing procedures of licorice roots. They were shown to noticeably change the composition of extracts. In this work, the common alterations in licorice secondary metabolites by processing were interpreted. Comprehensive metabolic profiling of different studied samples was undergone.

Methods

UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis coupled to various chemometric analysis models was implemented to unravel the effect of different pre-processing procedures on the chemical profile of licorice samples.

Results

UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS analysis designated 133 chromatographic peaks with saponins, flavonoids, chalcones and pterocarpans being the most abundant groups. Triterpene saponins dominated the secondary metabolites in the aqueous extracts, with fermented samples showing the highest relative amounts. Meanwhile the ethanol extracts showed significant amounts of chalcones. Melanoidins were only detected in roasted and honey roasted samples. Multivariate models indicated that roasting of samples induced a greater effect on the polar metabolites rather than nonpolar ones. Variable of importance (VIP) plot indicated that glycyrrhizin and its hydrolysis product glycyrrhetinic acid, trihdroxychalcone diglycoside, glabrone and glabridin are the main chemical features responsible for the discrimination of samples.

Conclusion

Coupling UPLC-MS/MS to multivariate analysis was a successful tool that unveiled the significant effect of different pre-processing methods on the chemical profile of processed and unprocessed licorice samples. Moreover, such coupling unraveled the discriminatory chemical compounds among tested samples that can be employed as markers for the processing procedure of licorice.

Available only for authorised users

Mamedov NA, Egamberdieva D. In: Ozturk M, Hakeem KR, editors. Phytochemical constituents and Pharmacological effects of Licorice: a Review BT - Plant and Human Health, volume 3: Pharmacology and Therapeutic uses. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2019. p. 1–21.

Wu S, Wang W, Dou J, Gong L. Research progress on the protective effects of licorice-derived 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid against liver injury. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2021;42:18–26.CrossRefPubMed

Kitagawa I. Licorice root. A natural sweetener and an important ingredient in Chinese medicine. Pure Appl Chem. 2002;74:1189–98.CrossRef

Cerulli A, Masullo M, Montoro P, Piacente S. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, G. Uralensis, and G. inflata) and their constituents as active cosmeceutical ingredients. Cosmetics. 2022;9:1–9. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics9010007.

Bethapudi B, Murugan SK, Nithyanantham M, Singh VK, Agarwal A, Mundkinajeddu D. Chapter 24 - gut health benefits of licorice and its flavonoids as dietary supplements. In: Bagchi D, editor. Ohia Metabolism and Immune Health SEBT-N and FF in BD. editors. Academic Press; 2022. pp. 377–417.

Wu Y, Wang Z, Du Q, Zhu Z, Chen T, Xue Y, et al. Pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms of licorice-derived flavonoids. Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med. 2022;2022:9523071.

Mubarik F, Noreen S, Farooq F, Khan M, Khan AU, Pane YS. Medicinal uses of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.): a Comprehensive Review. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2021;9 F:668–75.CrossRef

Ota M, Xu F, Li Y-L, Shang M-Y, Makino T, Cai S-Q. Comparison of chemical constituents among licorice, roasted licorice, and roasted licorice with honey. J Nat Med. 2018;72:80–95.CrossRefPubMed

Li YY, Lee KY, Lee HG. Effects of roasting conditions on Korean rice wine (Makgeolli) with licorice (Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Fischer). Food Sci Biotechnol. 2022;31:323–32.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

10.

Kong S, Li P, Verpoorte R, Wang J, Zhu C, Dai Y, et al. Synergistic mechanism for the bioactivity fortification of licorice by honey. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022;289: 115048.CrossRefPubMed

11.

Bhatt S, Dadwal V, Padwad Y, Gupta M. Study of physicochemical, nutritional, and anticancer activity of Murraya Koenigii extract for its fermented beverage. J Food Process Preserv. 2022;46:e16137.CrossRef

12.

Zhou C, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Liu R, Li W. HPLC with switching wavelength simultaneous determination of seven constituents in licorice and its processed products. Chin J Pharm Anal. 2011;31:2067–72.

13.

Kuwajima H, Taneda Y, Chen W-Z, Kawanishi T, Hori K, Taniyama T, et al. Variation of chemical constituents in processed licorice roots: quantitative determination of saponin and flavonoid constituents in bark removed and roasted licorice roots. Yakugaku Zasshi J Pharm Soc Japan. 1999;119:945–55.CrossRef

14.

Sung MW, Li PCH. Chemical analysis of raw, dry-roasted, and honey‐roasted licorice by capillary electrophoresis. Electrophoresis. 2004;25:3434–40.CrossRefPubMed

15.

Su BZ, Zhou Q, Sun LL. Fingerprint of ethyl acetate extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparta. Chin Tradit Pat Med. 2011;33:203–7.

16.

Zhou Q, Lv J, Li G, Shi D, Dai Y, Sun L. HPLC fingerprint spectrum of honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi = China. J Chin Mater Med. 2010;35:1547–50.

17.

Zhou YZ, Han L, Liu XH, Fu XS, Xu H, Li JS, et al. Study on HPCE fingerprint of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Chin JMAP. 2012;29:405–9.

18.

Li Y, Li Y, Li H, Qi Y, Wu Z, Yang M. Comparative study of microwave-vacuum and vacuum drying on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant capacity of licorice extract powder. Powder Technol. 2017;320:540–5.CrossRef

19.

China Pharmacopoeia Committee. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. 2005.

20.

Muhialdin BJ, Filimonau V, Qasem JM, Ibrahim SA, Algboory HL. Traditional fermented foods and beverages in Iraq and their potential for large-scale commercialization. J Ethn Foods. 2022;9:18.CrossRef

21.

Alberti-Dér. Á. LC-ESI-MS/MS methods in profiling of flavonoid glycosides and phenolic acids in traditional medicinal plants: Sempervivum tectorum L. and Corylus avellana L. Budapest: A Ph.D. Thesis, Semmelweis University, Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; 2013.

22.

Ghallab DS, Mohyeldin MM, Shawky E, Metwally AM, Ibrahim R, said. Chemical profiling of Egyptian propolis and determination of its xanthine oxidase inhibitory properties using UPLC–MS/MS and chemometrics. LWT- Food Sci Technol. 2020;136:1–16.

23.

Kadian N, Raju KSR, Rashid M, Malik MY, Taneja I, Wahajuddin M. Comparative assessment of bioanalytical method validation guidelines for pharmaceutical industry. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2016;126:83–97.CrossRefPubMed

24.

Talib AlSaady A, Al Mousawi H, Saleh R, Omran A, Ghasemian A. Chemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots. Egypt J Chem. 2022;65:667–72.

25.

Park JY, Ji YJ, Seo KH, Lee JY, Kim GS, Kang MH et al. Heat treatment improves Uv photoprotective effects of licorice in human dermal fibroblasts. Processes. 2021;9:1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9061040.

26.

Bekedam EK. Coffee brew melanoidins. Struct Funct Prop Brown-Colored Coffee Compd. The Netherlands: Ph.D. thesis Wageningen University; 2008. p. 2–15. ISBN: 978–90–8504–951–7.

27.

Wang D, Liang J, Zhang J, Wang Y, Chai X. Natural chalcones in Chinese Materia Medica: Licorice. Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med. 2020;2020:3821248.

28.

Mohammed SK. Activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Licorice roots. Pakistan J Nutr. 2014;13:267–70.CrossRef

29.

Huynh NT, Van Camp J, Smagghe G, Raes K. Improved release and metabolism of flavonoids by steered fermentation processes: a review. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15:19369–88.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Tracking the effect of roasting and fermentation on the metabolites of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) using UPLC-MS analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Sarah S. Takla
Eman Shawky
Yasmin A. Mahgoub
Reham S. Darwish
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04239-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Tracking the effect of roasting and fermentation on the metabolites of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) using UPLC-MS analysis combined with multivariate statistical analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2023

Chemical profiling and cytotoxic potential of the n-butanol fraction of Tamarix nilotica flowers

Medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children: experience from traditional healers in North-eastern Tanzania

A model of purchase intention of complementary and alternative medicines: the role of social media influencers’ endorsements

Explore the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of JianPi QingRe HuaYu Methods in the treatment of gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by network pharmacology and experimental validation

Retraction Note: Regulatory effects of glycyrrhizae radix extract on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis

Efficacy and safety of Xian-Lian-Jie-Du optimization decoction as an adjuvant treatment for prevention of recurrence in patients with stage IIIB/IIIC colon cancer: study protocol for a multicentre, randomized controlled trial