Widely Targeted Metabolomics Analysis Revealed the Component Differences of Hemerocallis citrina Borani in Different Production Areas of Datong

<i>Hemerocallis citrina</i> Borani (<i>H. citrina</i>) has garnered significant attention due to its abundant nutritional quality. Datong, located in Shanxi Province, is recognized as one of the four major production regions for high-quality <i>H. citrina</i>. While Datong boasts multiple production areas, the nutritional composition of daylilies varies across regions due to environmental factors and planting patterns, which remain unclear. This study focuses on the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPCs and TFCs) and protein content of <i>H. citrina</i> from three areas in Datong: Sanshilipu (DTSSLP), Dangliuzhuang (DTDLZ), and Jijiazhuang (DTJJZ). Additionally, a widely targeted metabolomics analysis was used to analyze the metabolite composition of <i>H. citrina</i> from these three areas. The results showed that <i>H. citrina</i> in DTSSLP had the highest contents of protein and amino acids, as well as TPCs and TFCs. A total of 798 differential metabolites were identified in <i>H. citrina</i> across the areas, with DTSSLP showing the highest levels of different classifications of metabolites, indicating its enhanced health benefits and physiological activities. Nine metabolic pathways were related with the different characteristics among DTSSLP, DTDLZ, and DTJJZ. This study provides theoretical support for distinguish <i>H. citrina</i> from different producing regions and elucidates the mechanisms underlying its metabolic pathways.