Feasibility of NMR-based metabolomics for characterizing non-volatile chemical diversity in lavender

Lavender farms are becoming increasingly important economically in the United States, particularly in Central California, often in conjunction with beekeeping, which supports pollinator populations. This pilot study uses NMR-based metabolomics to analyze non-volatile fractions from three varieties of two distinct species: ‘Big time blue’, ‘Royal velvet’, ‘Tumalo’ (L. angustifolia), ‘Hicote giant’, ‘Provance’, and ‘Riverina thomas’ (L. x intermedia). The study quantified 27 metabolites from simultaneously collected flower, leaf, and stem samples. Metabolomic profiles were effectively distinguished between species, varieties, and different plant tissues. Notable findings included lower sucrose and xanthine levels in the flowers of L. x intermedia compared to L. angustifolia, increased maleate in the leaves of L. x intermedia, and notably lower nitrogen levels in its stems. Overall, biochemical measurements and non-polar NMR profiles provided complementary views of lavender chemistry, and the feasibility study highlights the value of NMR-based metabolomics in understanding the non-volatile compounds of lavender, setting the stage as a complementary tool to traditional physiology for resolving lavender diversity and providing a biochemical framework.