Apr 08, 2026
Metaprotocol : untargerted metabolomics for biological samples
This protocol is a draft, published without a DOI.
- 1CEA
- MetaboHub-IDF
External link: https://joliot.cea.fr/drf/joliot/Pages/Entites_de_recherche/medicaments_technologies_sante/SPI/lims.aspx
Protocol Citation: Emeline CHU-VAN, florence castelli 2026. Metaprotocol : untargerted metabolomics for biological samples. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: December 22, 2025
Last Modified: April 08, 2026
Protocol Integer ID: 235627
Keywords: METABOHUB, large cohorts, human health, biomarker discovery, untargeted metabolomic, extraction, untargerted metabolomics for biological sample, process of untargeted metabolomic, untargerted metabolomic, untargeted metabolomic, metaprotocol, biological sample, preparation of biological sample
Funders Acknowledgements:
METABOHUB
Grant ID: 11-INBS-0010
MetEx+
Grant ID: 21-ESRE-0035
Abstract
This protocol is a metaprotocol explaining the process of untargeted metabolomics, from sample reception to data processing, including the preparation of biological samples.
Biological samples reception
Reception of the biological samples (sent in dry ice)
Samples inventory
with the metadata :
for example : sex - age - medication - BMI...)
Randomization
using the excel function : alea()
(the same randomization is applied for the entire process (sample prep - LC-MS analysis - data treatment)
Aliquoting and QC pool constitution.
(only for fluid samples like urine - plasma - serum...)
The number of aliquots depends on the number of analyses (one aliquot per analyse : Hilicneg - C18pos - Hilicpos - C18neg)
Storage at -80°C
Sample extraction and reconstitution
Select the protocol according to the matrix :
Plasma - serum - culture supernatants (cells and bacteria) : https://www.protocols.io/view/untargeted-metabolomics-extraction-of-plasma-metab-3byl4qo18vo5/v2
Urine :
Stool :
LC-HRMS analysis
Data processing
Protocol references
Boudah et al. Annotation of the human serum metabolome by coupling three liquid chromatography methods to high-resolution mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2014 Sep 1:966:34-47. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2014.04.025