Fecal metabolite analysis of Japanese macaques in Yakushima by LC-MS/MS and LC-QTOF-MS

A comprehensive fecal metabolite analysis of Japanese macaques on Yakushima Island revealed distinct differences between two monkey groups, primarily driven by variations in nucleic acid metabolites and free amino acids. Using LC-MS/MS, researchers quantified 59 substances, including key components of the citrate cycle, while LC-QTOF-MS detected over 12,000 compounds, highlighting discrepancies in plant secondary metabolites such as cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, and phenolics. This study underscores the potential of fecal metabolite profiling to elucidate dietary and ecological differences among primate populations.

TSUCHIDA, S., HATTORI, T., SAWADA, A., OGATA, K., WATANABE, J., & USHIDA, K. (2021). Fecal metabolite analysis of Japanese macaques in Yakushima by LC-MS/MS and LC-QTOF-MS. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 83(6), 1012–1015. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.21-0076