Objective To compare different varieties of Dioscoreae Rhizoma and reveal their chemical differences, providing a basis for targeted breeding of Dioscoreae Rhizoma varieties. Methods Eight batches of Dioscoreae Rhizoma materials with different germplasms were collected, their agronomic traits were measured and compared. Subsequently, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS)-based untargeted metabolomic approach was employed to systematically analyze their chemical compositions. Multivariate statistical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster heatmap analysis and correlation plots, were used to dissect the metabolic product differences among varieties and their associations with agronomic traits. Results The eight batches of Dioscoreae Rhizoma showed significant differences in indicators such as yield and tuber morphology. Based on high-resolution mass spectrometry, 164 chemical components were identified across the eight batches of Dioscoreae Rhizoma, including peptides, amino acids, flavonoids, and saponins. PCA indicated significant differences among the eight batches of Dioscoreae Rhizoma germplasm resources. Saponin levels were relatively high in Jin Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Taigu Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Shuangbang Dioscoreae Rhizoma, and Ma Dioscoreae Rhizoma, while Taigu Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Jin Dioscoreae Rhizoma, and Ma Dioscoreae Rhizoma exhibited similar chemical characteristics in terms of flavonoids. Cluster heatmap analysis revealed potential chemical markers, providing a basis for rapid discrimination among different varieties. The chemical differences between medicinal-edible Dioscoreae Rhizoma varieties such as Tiegun Dioscoreae Rhizoma and Shandong Ximao and other varieties may be related with amino acids and peptides. The correlation network indicated that stem diameter was significantly positively correlated with saponins, while bulbils weight showed positive correlations with saponins and flavonoids but negative correlations with amino acids and peptides. Conclusion The eight different batches of Dioscoreae Rhizoma possess distinct chemical characteristics, which provide a scientific basis for the targeted breeding of medicinal and edible-specific Dioscoreae Rhizoma varieties.

Dioscoreae Rhizoma  /  Dioscorea opposita Thunb.  /  metabolomics  /  UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS  /  germplasm resources  /  chemical comparisons