Comparative study on quality of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in different harvest periods using UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics technology

The quality of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has a close relationship to the harvest time. With the annual and biennial Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in different harvest periods as samples, we detected the dynamic changes of chemical compositions in their contents by UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics technology, then identified the biomarkers of different harvest periods and analyzed their changes in content, finally analyzed the correlation among different metabolites. The results showed that chemical compositions of different harvest periods were obviously different, and showed regular changes. According to the results, if the flavonoid aglycones are chosen as the target components, the proposed harvest time could be May. If flavonoid glycosides, the time is from July to August. Plant metabolomics methodology based on UHPLC-MS/MS can be used to detect the chemical compositions of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in different harvest periods, which provide a reference to the optimum harvest period of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and also provide a new method of quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.