Investigation of Aged-related Metabolites in the Marine Polychaete (Marphysa moribidii) Using 1H NMR Metabolomics and LC-MS/MS Analysis

Marphysa moribidii (marine polychaetes) exhibits distinct age-related characteristics based on body width in the initial seven chaetigers, excluding parapodia or bristles that are classified into three age classes: Class Ι (body width ranging from 3–5 mm), Class ΙΙ (6–8 mm), and Class ΙΙΙ (9–11 mm). Despite its potential, the exploration of metabolites in marine worms, particularly through metabolomics, remains limited. The aim of this study is to identify the metabolite profile and depict the metabolic pathways of different age classes of M. moribidii utilising proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) metabolomics and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. A total of 35 metabolites were identified using 1H NMR metabolomics, including amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, glycerol, nitrogenous compounds, organic compounds, and vitamins. LC-MS/MS analysis also discovered 36 metabolites that can be categorised into organic acids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids. Class II M. moribidii emerged to have the highest concentration of chemicals originating from amino and fatty acids, making it the ideal age for harvesting. Comparing the metabolite profiles across different age groups of M. moribidii could provide valuable insights into its physiological processes, metabolic dynamics, and potential bioactive compounds present at various developmental stages.