Quantitative metabolite profiling of edible onion species by NMR and HPLC-MS

TBS-pyrrole as an "universal" reference to quantify artemisinin and structurally-diverse natural products in plants extracts by NMR

The commercial production of artemisinin and other valuable bioactive natural products depends on their plant sources, which may provide variable amounts of the compound depending on plant variety, the period of the year, abiotic stress and other factors. Therefore, it requires a method for large-scale, low-cost natural product quantification. The standard HPLC and UHPLC methods are accurate but the analysis are costly and require different optimization for structurally-diverse products. An alternative method using NMR with TBS-pyrrole as a novel "universal" reference affords a simple, fast method to quantify many different products. The method is shown with antimalarial artemisinin, whose yield using conventional and novel extraction procedures was determined by standard UHPLC-MS procedures and by our NMR protocol, with similar quantification results. The novel reference compound does not interfere with artemisinin or extract signals, only needs a small amount of the extract, is accurate and operationally simple, and a large volume of samples can be processed in little time. Moreover, bioactive terpenes, steroids, alkaloids, aromatic compounds, and quinones, among others, were quantified in a model vegetal extract with this "universal" reference with excellent accuracy.

Current Trends in Toxicity Assessment of Herbal Medicines: A Narrative Review

Even in modern times, the popularity level of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in therapy is still high. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the population in developing countries uses these types of remedies. Even though herbal medicine products are usually perceived as low risk, their potential health risks should be carefully assessed. Several factors can cause the toxicity of herbal medicine products: plant components or metabolites with a toxic potential, adulteration, environmental pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides), or contamination of microorganisms (toxigenic fungi). Their correct evaluation is essential for the patient’s safety. The toxicity assessment of herbal medicine combines in vitro and in vivo methods, but in the past decades, several new techniques emerged besides conventional methods. The use of omics has become a valuable research tool for prediction and toxicity evaluation, while DNA sequencing can be used successfully to detect contaminants and adulteration. The use of invertebrate models (Danio renio or Galleria mellonella) became popular due to the ethical issues associated with vertebrate models. The aim of the present article is to provide an overview of the current trends and methods used to investigate the toxic potential of herbal medicinal products and the challenges in this research field.

The Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition of Shallot Species (Allium × cornutum, Allium × proliferum and A. cepa Aggregatum) Is Genetically and Environmentally Dependent

Shallots are a perennial plant from the Alliaceae family, classified with the common onion under the name of the Allium cepa Aggregatum group. The term shallot is also used for diploid and triploid viviparous onions, known as Allium × proliferum (Moench) Schrad and Allium × cornutum Clementi ex Vis., respectively. In this study, we compared the dry matter, pyruvic acid content, sugar content, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and mineral composition of 34 shallot accessions falling into three shallot species (Allium × cornutum, Allium × proliferum and A. cepa Aggregatum). Shallot accessions belonging to the A.× cornutum and A. × proliferum groups are characterized by high dry matter content (around 25%), of which a little less than 50% is formed of inulin-type sugars, polysaccharides, considered an excellent prebiotic with beneficial effects on human health. On the other hand, accessions belonging to the A. cepa Aggregatum group have lower dry matter content and, as a result, lower pungency (measured as pyruvic acid content), making them more suitable for fresh consumption by a broader range of consumers, but, at the same time, abundant in phenolic compounds, especially quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides. We also observed a greater biodiversity among accessions within the A. cepa Aggregatum group in all the analyzed physico-chemical parameters compared to the other shallot groups. The investigated shallot accessions have an excellent in vitro antioxidant capacity, as well as excellent nutritional properties.

Chemical profiling and unraveling of anti-COVID-19 biomarkers of red sage (Lantana camara L.) cultivars using UPLC-MS/MS coupled to chemometric analysis, in vitro study and molecular docking

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Red sage (Lantana camara L.) (Verbenaceae) is a widely spread plant that was traditionally used in Brazil, India, Kenya, Thailand, Mexico, Nigeria, Australia and Southeast Asia for treating several ailments including rheumatism and leprosy. Despite its historical role in relieving respiratory diseases, limited studies progressed to the plant's probable inhibition to respiratory viruses especially after the striking spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory activity of different L. camara cultivars to SARS-CoV-2, that was not previously inspected, and clarify their mechanisms of action in the metabolomics viewpoint, and to determine the biomarkers that are related to such activity using UPLC-MS/MS coupled to in vitro-studies and chemometric analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical profiling of different cultivars was accomplished via UPLC-MS/MS. Principle component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures (OPLS) models were built using SIMCA® (multivariate data analysis software). Cytotoxicity and COVID-19 inhibitory activity testing were done followed by TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) assay that aimed to study extracts' effects on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and E-genes expression levels. Detected biomarkers from OPLS analysis were docked into potential targets pockets to investigate their possible interaction patterns using Schrodinger® suite.

RESULTS

UPLC-MS/MS analysis of different cultivars yielded 47 metabolites, most of them are triterpenoids and flavonoids. PCA plots revealed that inter-cultivar factor has no pronounced effect on the chemical profiles of extracts except for L. camara, cultivar Drap d'or flowers and leaves extracts as well as for L. camara cv Chelsea gem leaves extract. Among the tested extracts, flowers and leaves extracts of L. camara cv Chelsea gem, flowers extracts of L. camara cv Spreading sunset and L. camara cv Drap d'or showed the highest selectivity indices scoring 12.3, 10.1, 8.6 and 7.8, respectively, indicating their relative high safety and efficacy. Leaves and flowers extracts of L. camara cv Chelsea gem, flowers extracts of L. camara cv Spreading sunset and L. camara cv Drap d'or were the most promising inhibitors to viral plaques exhibiting IC₅₀ values of 3.18, 3.67, 4.18 and 5.01 μg/mL, respectively. This was incremented by OPLS analysis that related their promising COVID-19 inhibitory activities to the presence of twelve biomarkers. Inhibiting the expression of RdRp gene is the major mechanism behind the antiviral activity of most extracts at almost all concentration levels. Molecular docking of the active biomarkers against RdRp revealed that isoverbascoside, luteolin-7,4'-O-diglucoside, camarolic acid and lantoic acid exhibited higher docking scores of -11.378, -10.64, -6.72 and -6.07 kcal/mol, respectively, when compared to remdesivir (-5.75 kcal/mol), thus these four compounds can serve as promising anti-COVID-19 candidates.

CONCLUSION

Flowers and leaves extracts of four L. camara cultivars were recognized as rich sources of phytoconstituents possessing anti-COVID-19 activity. Combination of UPLC-MS/MS and chemometrics is a promising approach to detect chemical composition differences among the cultivars and correlate them to COVID-19 inhibitory activities allowing to pinpoint possible biomarkers. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies are required to verify their activity.

From By-Products to Fertilizer: Chemical Characterization Using UPLC-QToF-MS via Suspect and Non-Target Screening Strategies

The increasing demands of agriculture and the food market have resulted in intensive agricultural practices using synthetic fertilizers to maximize production. However, significant efforts have been made to implement more environmentally friendly procedures, such as composting, to overcome the adverse impact of these invasive practices. In the terms of this research, composting was applied to the production of two biofertilizers, using onion and mushroom by-products as raw materials respectively. The main purposes of this work were to identify the compounds that pass from the raw materials to the final products (onion-based and mushroom-based), as well as the characterization of the chemical profile of these final products following suspect and non-target screening workflows via UPLC-qToF-MS. Overall, 14 common compounds were identified in the onion and its final product, while 12 compounds were found in the mushroom and its corresponding product. These compounds belong to fatty acids, organic acids, and flavonoids, which could be beneficial to plant health. The determination of parameters, such as the pH, conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen content, and elemental analysis, were conducted for the overall characterization of the aforementioned products.

1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics Reveal Enhancement of Growth-Promoting Metabolites in Onion Seedlings Treated with Green-Synthesized Nanomaterials

Seed priming is a promising approach to improve germination, emergence, and seedling growth by triggering pre-germinative metabolism and enhancing seedling vigor. Recently, nanopriming gained importance in seed improvement as a result of the small size and unique physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials. In the present study, silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized using onion extracts as the reducing agent. Similarly, the agro-food industrial byproducts citrus seed oil and curcumin-removed turmeric oleoresin were used for the preparation of nanoemulsions. For seed priming, these green-synthesized nanomaterials were incubated with seeds of two onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars (Legend and 50147) for 72 h, and then the plants were grown in a greenhouse for 3 weeks. Seed priming with these nanomaterials increased seed germination and seedling emergence. One-dimensional ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry metabolomics studies showed that different nanopriming treatments distinctly altered the metabolome of onion seedlings. Seed priming treatments significantly inhibited plant hormones and growth regulators, such as abscisic acid and cis-(+)-12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, and enhanced germination stimulators, such as γ-aminobutyric acid and zeatin, in onion seeds and seedlings. Therefore, these priming treatments have positive impact on improving seed performance and plant growth.

Allium Flavonols: Health Benefits, Molecular Targets, and Bioavailability

Allium species are revered worldwide as vegetables, condiments, and spices as well as the therapeutic agents in traditional medicine. The bioactive compounds in alliums mainly include organosulfur compounds, polyphenols, dietary fibers, and saponins. Flavonoids, particularly flavonols from alliums, have been demonstrated to have the antioxidant, anticancer, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antimicrobial activities. However, flavonols are mostly characterized from onions and have not been comprehensively reviewed across different species. This article therefore focuses on flavonol profiles from different Allium species, their health effects, underlying molecular mechanisms, and bioavailability. Intriguingly, the functional health effects of flavonols were mainly ascribed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities involving a cascade of multiple signaling pathways. Although the Allium-derived flavonols offer tremendous potential in preventing chronic disease risks, in-depth studies are needed to translate their clinical application.

Omics approaches in Allium research: Progress and way ahead

BACKGROUND

The genus Allium (Family: Amaryllidaceae) is an economically important group of crops cultivated worldwide for their use as a vegetable and spices. Alliums are also well known for their nutraceutical properties. Among alliums, onion, garlic, leek, and chives cultivated worldwide. Despite their substantial economic and medicinal importance, the genome sequence of any of the Allium is not available, probably due to their large genome sizes. Recently evolved omics technologies are highly efficient and robust in elucidating molecular mechanisms of several complex life processes in plants. Omics technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, etc. have the potential to open new avenues in research and improvement of allium crops where genome sequence information is limited. A significant amount of data has been generated using these technologies for various Allium species; it will help in understanding the key traits in Allium crops such as flowering, bulb development, flavonoid biosynthesis, male sterility and stress tolerance at molecular and metabolite level. This information will ultimately assist us in speeding up the breeding in Allium crops.

METHOD

In the present review, major omics approaches, and their progress, as well as potential applications in Allium crops, could be discussed in detail.

RESULTS

Here, we have discussed the recent progress made in Allium research using omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, micro RNAs, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics. These omics interventions have been used in alliums for marker discovery, the study of the biotic and abiotic stress response, male sterility, organ development, flavonoid and bulb color, micro RNA discovery, and microbiome associated with Allium crops. Further, we also emphasized the integrated use of these omics platforms for a better understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms to speed up the breeding programs for better cultivars.

CONCLUSION

All the information and literature provided in the present review throws light on the progress and potential of omics platforms in the research of Allium crops. We also mentioned a few research areas in Allium crops that need to be explored using omics technologies to get more insight. Overall, alliums are an under-studied group of plants, and thus, there is tremendous scope and need for research in Allium species.

Quantum mechanical NMR full spin analysis in pharmaceutical identity testing and quality control

Issues related to pharmaceutical quality are arising at an alarming rate. Pharmaceutical quality concerns both the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and the Finished Drug Product/ Formulation. Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of reports of harmful impurities in marketed drug formulations. Impurities range from solvents, reactants, adulterants, and catalysts to synthetic byproducts. Quality concerns in commercial preparations may also arise due to shelf life stability. Furthermore, a number of falsified and substandard drug cases have been reported. Most of the techniques which are currently in place can, at best, detect the impurities, but cannot identify them unless they are already known and can be compared to a standard. On the other hand, ¹H NMR spectroscopy detects all the hydrogen containing species, typically provides information to elucidate structures partially or even completely, and through its absolute quantitative capabilities even can detect the presence hydrogen-free species indirectly. The structural properties that produce ¹H NMR signals as characteristic representations of a given molecule are the chemical shifts (δ in ppm) and coupling constants (J in Hz). Along with the line widths (ω_1/2 in Hz), these parameters are bound to both the molecule and the NMR experimental conditions by quantum mechanical (QM) principles. This means that the ¹H NMR spectra of APIs can be precisely calculated and compared to the experimental data. This review explains how ¹H NMR spectroscopy coupled with Full Spin Analysis can contribute towards the quality control of pharmaceuticals by improving structural dereplication and achieving simultaneous quantification of both APIs and their contaminants.

Metabolites response to onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) infection in 'Rossa di Tropea' onion during storage: a 1 H HR-MAS NMR study

BACKGROUND

Plant viral infections induce changes in metabolic components in the host plant, with potential effects on compositional, organoleptic and storability features of agricultural products. Identification of modulated metabolites may provide clues concerning pathways implementing responses in plant-pathogen interactions. A time course study of metabolic fingerprinting of onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV)-infected versus healthy 'Rossa di Tropea' onion bulbs was performed using proton high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹ H HR-MAS NMR) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), providing an overview of the metabolic state of the bulb in response to OYDV infection during storage.

RESULTS

Metabolites accumulated/depleted upon infection were identified, belonging to flavonoid, saccharide, amino acid and organic acid classes. A decrease in quercetin glucosides content and antioxidant activity was observed in infected bulbs; some amino acids (Arg, Asn, Phe, Val) accumulated, while others were depleted (Leu); for some metabolites, a bimodal time-course was observed during storage (Glc, Lys). Virus interference on metabolic pathways, and the effects of the metabolic shift on edible product storability, organoleptic and nutritional quality were discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

OYDV infection induces a metabolic shift in 'Rossa di Tropea' onion during bulb storage, involving several pathways and affecting storability and organoleptic and nutritional quality of bulbs at marketable stage. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Typicality Assessment of Onions (Allium cepa) from Different Geographical Regions Based on the Volatile Signature and Chemometric Tools

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the main agricultural commodities produced and consumed around the world. In the present work, for the first time, the volatile signature of onions from different geographical regions of Madeira Island (Caniço, Santa Cruz, Ribeira Brava, and Porto Moniz) was tested with headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME/GC-qMS) and chemometric tools, showing that the volatile signature was affected by the geographical region of cultivation. Sulfur compounds, furanic compounds, and aldehydes are the most dominant chemical groups. Some of the identified volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) were detected only in onions cultivated in specific regions; 17 VOMs were only identified in onions cultivated at Caniço, eight in Porto Moniz, two in Santa Cruz, two in Ribeira Brava, while 12 VOMs are common to all samples from the four regions. Moreover, some VOMs belonging to sulfur compounds (dipropyl disulfide, 3-(acetylthio)-2-methylfuran), furanic compounds (dimethylmethoxyfuranone, ethyl furanone, acetyloxy-dimethylfuranone), and lactones (whiskey lactone isomer), could be applied as potential geographical markers of onions, providing a useful tool to authenticate onions by farming regions where the influence of latitude seems to be an important factor for yielding the chemical profile and may contribute to geographical protection of food and simultaneously benefiting both consumers and farmers.

Characterization of Volatile and Flavonoid Composition of Different Cuts of Dried Onion (Allium cepa L.) by HS-SPME-GC-MS, HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF and HPLC-DAD

Onion is widely used worldwide in various forms for both food and medicinal applications, thanks to its high content of phytonutrients, such as flavonoids and volatile sulfur compounds. Fresh onion is very perishable and drying is widely applied for extending shelf-life, thus obtaining a very easy-to-use functional food ingredient. The flavonoid and volatile fractions of different onion cuts (flakes, rings) prepared through different drying cycles in a static oven, were characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector HPLC-DAD, Head Space-Solid Phase Micro Extraction followed by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and Head-Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction followed by comprehensive two-dimensional Gas-Chromatography (HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF). Onion flakes showed a significantly higher flavonoid content (3.56 mg g⁻¹) than onion rings (2.04 mg g⁻¹). Onion flakes showed greater amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (127.26 mg g⁻¹) than onion rings (42.79 mg g⁻¹), with different relative amounts of di- and trisulfides—disulfides largely predominate the volatile fraction (amounts over 60% on the total volatile content), followed by trisulfides and dipropyl disulfide and dipropyl trisulfide were the most abundant VOCs. HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOF allowed for the detection of the presence of allylthiol, diethanol sulfide, 4,6-diethyl1,2,3,5-tetrathiolane, not detected by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and provided a fast and direct visualization and comparison of different samples. These results highlight different nutraceutical properties of dried onion samples processed otherwise, only differing in shape and size, thus pointing out potentially different uses as functional ingredients.

Metabolite profiling of onion landraces and the cold storage effect

Today, commercial onion breeders focus almost entirely on conventional farming which reduces diversity in the market and leads to loss of desirable traits such as those that impact nutritional and sensory aspects of onions. A way to preserve phenotypic and genetic diversity is to re-evaluate traditional landraces to introduce their benefits to the broader public. Common onion genotypes vary greatly in their storability. In particular, temperature and relative humidity during storage have significant impact on the metabolites in onions after storage. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the metabolite profile of ten onion genotypes after five months of cold storage. In addition, a characterization of onion landraces in their fresh state was also conducted in order to compare their properties against a commercial genotype. Onion genotypes were grown under organic farming conditions. After harvest and curing, bulbs were stored for up to 22 weeks. Before and after storage, bulb samples were analyzed through targeted and untargeted methods. Out of 189 identified metabolites, 128 showed a storage effect. Mainly fructans decreased because of respiration and energy demand, while monosaccharides increased. Further, amino acids were altered in their concentration after storage with an effect on aroma precursors. Eight of the nine landraces had good storability without critical losses. In their fresh state, the onion genotypes clustered into three major groups. For instance, landraces of group III showed consistently and substantially higher levels of amino acids and certain sugars, indicating a high potential of aromatic properties in those onion landraces.

A Single Standard to Determine Multi-Components Method Coupled with Chemometric Methods for the Quantification, Evaluation and Classification of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix from Different Regions

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry is used to identify 33 compounds in Notopterygii rhizoma and radix, after which a single standard to determine multi-components method is established for the simultaneous determination of 19 compounds in Notopterygii rhizoma and radix using chlorogenic acid and notopterol as the internal standard. To screen the potential chemical markers among Notopterygii rhizoma and radix planted in its natural germination area and in others, the quantitative data of 19 compounds are analyzed via partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Depending on the variable importance parameters (VIP) value of PLS-DA, six compounds are selected to be the potential chemical markers for the discrimination of Notopterygii rhizoma and radix planted in the different regions. Furthermore, the Fisher's discriminant analysis is used to build the models that are used to classify Notopterygii rhizoma and radix from the different regions based on the six chemical markers. Experimental results indicate that Notopterygii rhizoma and radix planted in the Sichuan province are distinguished successfully from those in other regions, reaching a 96.0% accuracy rating. Therefore, a single standard to determine multi-components method combined with a chemometrics method, which contains the advantages such as simple, rapid, economical and accurate identification, offers a new perspective for the quantification, evaluation and classification of Notopterygii rhizoma and radix from the different regions.

Morphological and Biochemical Diversity of Shallot Landraces Preserved Along the Croatian Coast

Shallots are a valuable minor Allium crop, and are propagated vegetatively and maintained in home gardens across generations along the Croatian coast and island areas. Shallot landraces growing along the Croatian coast fall into three genotypes: Allium cepa Aggregatum group (2n = 2x = 16), A. × proliferum (Moench) Schard. (2n = 2x = 16), and A. × cornutum Clementi ex Vis. (2n = 3x = 24), among which A. × cornutum is the most widespread. The aim of this study was to differentiate shallot accessions collected from local farmers using morphological markers. Also, the chemical composition including phenolic content, phenolic profile, total antioxidant capacity, and mineral composition, of shallot accessions was compared with that of the local landraces of common onion, and with market available shallot and common onion cultivars. Based on morphological observations and using multivariate classification, shallot landraces were classified into three distinct groups. Properties, based on which A. × cornutum can be differentiated from A. cepa Aggregatum and A. × proliferum, are stamen morphology, stamen length, leaf and scape vegetative properties, number of bulbs in cluster, cluster mass, and bulb diameter. Flower diameter and flower pedicel length differentiate A. × cornutum and A. × proliferum from A. cepa Aggregatum. Significant variability was observed in the biochemical profiles across tested accessions. Compared with the commercial common onion cultivars, local shallot accessions have higher bulb N, P, and K content. The major phenolic compounds identified in shallots were quercetin-4'-glucoside and quercetin-3,4'-diglucoside. Additionally, several other minor phenolic compounds were also identified. Morphological and biochemical profiles were evaluated using Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis. Specific morphological traits and biochemical markers for possible species identification are proposed.

Antimicrobial activity and thiosulfinates profile of a formulation based on Allium cepa L. extract

Background

Allium species extracts including Allium cepa L. contain sulfur compounds, known for their antiplatelet, antimicrobial, antineoplasic activities.

Methodology

Antibacterial activity of a formulation based on A. cepa extracts-liquid and lyophilized samples, has been demonstrated using two classes of bacteria: Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and three methods: discs soaked with liquid extract, the wells method in the culture medium, filled with the liquid extract and lyophilized formulation extracts transformed by the incorporation of ultrapure water. The second part of this study includes identification of thiosulfinates compounds from the studied samples by high performance liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).

Results

The most important inhibition and the highest antibacterial effficiency were observed against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. The HPLC-MS thiosulfinates profile of the tested formulation extracts shows the presence of seven thiosulfinate compounds, MeS(O)S 1-propenyl (E,Z); n-PrS(O)S 1-propenyl-(E); n-PrS(O)S 1-propenyl-(Z); trans-zwiebelane; n-PrS(O)CHEtSS-1propenyl; 1-propenylS(O)CHEtSS1-propenyl, which may be responsible for antibacterial activity.

Conclusion

Testing antimicrobial effects using the three mentioned methods confirmed the antimicrobial activity of the tested samples based on A. cepa extracts, with a demonstrated content of seven thiosulfinate compounds.

Towards a Universal Approach Based on Omics Technologies for the Quality Control of Food

In the last decades, food science has greatly developed, turning from the consideration of food as mere source of energy to a growing awareness on its importance for health and particularly in reducing the risk of diseases. Such vision led to an increasing attention towards the origin and quality of raw materials as well as their derived food products. The continuous advance in molecular biology allowed setting up efficient and universal omics tools to unequivocally identify the origin of food items and their traceability. In this review, we considered the application of a genomics approach known as DNA barcoding in characterizing the composition of foodstuffs and its traceability along the food supply chain. Moreover, metabolomics analytical strategies based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS) were discussed as they also work well in evaluating food quality. The combination of both approaches allows us to define a sort of molecular labelling of food that is easily understandable by the operators involved in the food sector: producers, distributors, and consumers. Current technologies based on digital information systems such as web platforms and smartphone apps can facilitate the adoption of such molecular labelling.