Metabolomics characterization of different geographical origins of Flos Carthami using UPLC-QTOF/MS and their correlation with climate factors

A UPLC-QTOF/MS method was developed to characterize chemical differences of Flos Carthami from different geographical origins. PCA, PLS-DA and heatmap analysis were used to differentiate and identify differential metabolites of Flos Carthami samples from different geographical origins. Grey correlation analysis (GCA) was conducted between differential metabolites and climate factors.