Untargeted metabolomic analysis of adherent cell cultures: general recommendations for sample preparation

Metabolomics is a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of metabolites in biological specimens (cells, biological fluids and tissues). It includes chemometric and statistical analysis of metabolomic data to assess group-wise differences. The reliability of the analytical data and the biological meaningful results of the metabolomics study are determined by the selection of appropriate procedures of sample preparation. The review outlines general recommendations for planning and organizing untargeted metabolomics studies of adherent cell cultures. The main strategies and procedures for optimization of sample preparation and selection of culture conditions, sampling, metabolism quenching and metabolite extraction are considered.