Plant Sample Preparation for Metabolomics, Lipidomics, Ionomics, Fluxomics, and Peptidomics

Abstract

Plant metabolomics, lipidomics, ionomics, fluxomics, and peptidomics are essential approaches for exploring how plants respond to epigenetic, pathological, and environmental stimuli through comprehensive chemical profiling. Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in protocols and methodologies to address the challenges in sample collection and extraction. Despite these advancements, sample preparation remains intricate, with ongoing debates about the most effective strategies. This review emphasizes the importance of clear research questions and well-designed experiments to minimize complexity, save time, and enhance reproducibility. It provides an overview of the key steps in these fields, including harvesting, drying, extraction, and data pre-acquisition for major analytical platforms. By discussing best practices and common challenges, this review aims to streamline methods and promote more consistent and reliable research outcomes.