Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Production Area Variations in Nutrient Composition and Quality Attributes of Dandelion Herbal Tea

Abstract Variations in production area significantly affect the nutrient composition and quality attributes of dandelion herbal tea (DHT). This study used physicochemical analysis and untargeted metabolomics with UPLC-MS/MS to analyze 14 DHT samples sourced from 13 regions in China. Physicochemical analysis indicated that reducing sugar content ranged from 7.54 to 26.87 mg/g, water-soluble protein from 18.64 to 36.63 mg/g, total flavonoids (TF) from 34.45 to 107.38 mg/g, and total phenolics (TP) from 120 to 460 mg/g. Antioxidant activities (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH) were strongly correlated with TF and TP levels. Metabolomic profiling identified 5,969 metabolites, mainly including alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, lipids, and phenolic acids. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis revealed distinct metabolic patterns according to geographical origin, with high-altitude samples showing increased TF, TP, and antioxidant capacity. A significant negative correlation was detected between reducing sugars and TF content. In addition, 101 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were screened as potential biomarkers for origin traceability. The results offer a scientific foundation for targeted cultivation and functional food development of DHTs using region-specific metabolite profiles.