Seed metabolite profiling of Vicia species from China via GC-MS.

In this study, we examined Vicia seeds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The metabolic differences of seeds of twelve Vicia species were assessed. 184 metabolites were identified. Vicia species were classified via multivariate data analyses into four clusters. V. unijuga was most enriched in fatty acids and anthraquinones contents while highest levels of amino acids, alcohols and phenolic were in V. costata. Clustering analysis of biochemical profiles matched with the pervious phenotypic observation with all examined species from section Cracca grouped together under one sub-cluster, except for V. costata.