Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed metabolite dynamics during the development and processing of Rosa rugosa flowers

Rosa rugosa, which originated in China, is an important industrial plant, which have been used for landscaping, while its components have been included in foods, pharmaceuticals, and beauty and skin care products. As a potential available oil rose variety, the limited comprehensive understanding of R. rugosa ‘Han Xiang’ has hindered their development and utilization. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS techniques were applied to analyze metabolite dynamics during the development and processing of R. rugosa flowers. In total, 1816 non-volatile metabolites and 1029 volatile metabolites were identified in the development and processing of R. rugosa flowers. Significant differences in the non-volatile and volatile metabolites were detected in the petals and hydrosol. The differentially regulated non-volatile metabolite contents were highest in the bud stage petals, the differentially regulated volatile metabolite contents were highest in the full-bloom stage petals. Some key metabolites affect the presentation of rose color, flavor, and taste, as well as the efficacy of the product. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive understanding of R. rugosa ‘Han Xiang’ and to serve as a basis for further research and development. This study provides useful data for assessing rose flower quality as well as new insights into R. rugosa development and utility.