Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part D (2024)

Metabolomics is the comprehensive identification and quantification of small molecules that drive metabolic reactions within biological systems. Among the various platforms available, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has gained prominence due to its high throughput, soft ionization capabilities, and wide coverage of metabolite classes. The efficacy of LC-MS-based metabolomic studies relies on the optimization of multiple steps, ranging from experimental design to computational analysis. This review outlines a typical LC-MS-based metabolomics workflow, highlighting recent innovations and practical solutions to address the challenges inherent at each stage. By examining advances in untargeted and targeted approaches, this article provides a comprehensive guide to utilizing LC-MS in metabolomic studies, with applications spanning biomarker discovery, systems biology, and environmental stress analysis.