Preface

Metabolomics is a rapidly evolving branch of the "omics technologies," which involves quantitative and qualitative metabolite assessments. Metabolomics comprises analytical techniques that can be used for metabolite profiling, fingerprinting, and quantitation of targeted metabolites, and the study of the biochemical fate of individual metabolites. Metabolomics data analysis and databases are major areas of research based on the availability of high-quality reference metabolite standards and data analysis tools. Discovery of new drugs from different natural resources is a challenging research of interest in the field of metabolomics. In this regard, the discovery of new antiviral drugs and vaccines is an emerging demand now after the effects the world is facing due to the pandemic of COVID-19.

Metabolomics offers diverse applications in different fields such as biological, medical, and environmental sciences. It could be used in the detection of diseaserelated biomarkers and in understanding the metabolic changes in relation to diseases. It also helps in the assessment of contaminants and pollutants among many other environmental applications. The integration of metabolomics with genomics and proteomics can enable us to understand the whole biochemical pathway from the genetic order "genotype" to its expression "phenotype," which will lead in the future to amazing new insights into biology and medicine.

This book is mainly for researchers interested in the new developments and applications of metabolomics. It is also important for physicians using metabolomic approaches in the diagnosis of diseases or treatment and for postgraduate students starting their research projects on metabolomics. The book is divided into two sections as indicated from its title, namely: new insights into biology and new insights into medicine.

The first chapter discusses the potential of marine microorganisms for the production of biosurfactants, which are important functional molecules with several applications. The chapter gives a general overview of the recent advances in biosurfactants of marine origin, their production, chemical identification, interesting biological properties, and potential biotechnological applications.

The second chapter is a research study conducted to identify the enriched or depleted metabolites in the feces of overweight mice after dietary treatment as biomarkers of interactions between diet and health. The authors found that the microbial metabolites, coming from the microbial fermentation of agavins, induced a beneficial effect on the health of overweight mice. These findings open exciting opportunities to explore new biomarkers with applicability to the prevention of overweight-associated metabolic syndromes and treatment of overweight people.

On the other hand, the next three chapters follow applications of the metabolic approach in the medical field. Chapter 3 discusses the mutually beneficial integration of the metabolome/microbiome in the body of healthy people and focuses on the effects of microbiota dysfunction as the cause of pathology. This chapter explains the effect of certain microbial metabolites on the work of key

enzymes, which becomes more important in patients at risk of developing some disorders or in the development of some life-threatening conditions and serious diseases. Interestingly, the authors of this chapter call the microbiota an "invisible organ," emphasizing its functional significance.

In Chapter 4, the author investigates the applicability of serum metabolomics as a powerful tool in the diagnosis of trauma and other critical conditions, such as the respiratory failure, pancreatitis, and combat trauma of patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). The meta-analysis results of the serum metabolomes revealed how the metabolomes differ with each condition. The results revealed also how mass spectrometry-based metabolomics could be used for predictive monitoring of critical illness conditions. The study highlights that metabolomics could lead to faster and more appropriately individualized patient access to the ICU, which will improve patient care and outcomes.

Lastly, Chapter 5 systematically reviews recent studies on metabolism-targeting anticancer therapies based on metabolomics in terms of glucose, lipid, amino acid, nucleotide, and other altered metabolisms, with special emphasis on the potential of metabolic treatment with pure compounds, herbal extracts, and formulations from Chinese medicine. The trends of future development of metabolism-targeting anticancer therapies are also discussed. The systematic review in this chapter of recent metabolomic studies targeting Chinese medicine draws attention to this traditional medicine as a promising candidate for more effective and safer treatment of human cancers clinically.

I would like to thank all the authors of the chapters of this book for sharing their expertise and for their quality of work. On behalf of all authors, I would like to warmly thank Ms. Romina Skomersic and Mr. Gordan Tot, the author service managers, for their sincere help in the publication of this book. Our thanks are also extended to other staff of IntechOpen for their support.

Finally, the editing of this book was of special interest to me and I wish that readers will also find it stimulating. Overall, this is a well-written book, containing some very interesting research avenues and I hope it will contribute positively to the academic and research communities.

> **Wael N. Hozzein** Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

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Section 1

Metabolomics: New

Insights into Biology

Section 1
