Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of metabolomics techniques

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages	References
NMR	- Simple sample preparation -Excellent reproducibility -Quantify a wide-range of organic compounds in the micro-molar range	-Low sensitivity compared with MS methods - Suitable for quantification of metabolites present in relatively high concentration	(102, 103)
GC-MS	- High separation efficiency - The oldest and a robust tool for qualitative metabolic profiling	-Non-volatile matrices require additional preparation - Some gases are challenging (CO2, N2, O2, Ar, CO, H2O)	(104, 105)
LC-MS	- High separation efficiency - No derivatization is needed for the analysis of polar or high molecular weight metabolites - Quick analysis of small samples	- Ion suppression	(103, 106)
CE-MS	-Suitable for the separation of polar and charged compounds - Powerful for charged metabolites -High-analyte resolution – providing information mainly on polar or ionic compounds -Short analysis time -Very small sample requirement	- Poor concentration sensitivity	(107, 108)
HPLC-MS	-Robustness -Ease of use - Good selectivity -Adjustable sensitivity	-Lack of efficiency due to low diffusion coefficients in liquid phase	(109, 110)
UPLC-MS	-Powerful technique in biomolecular research - Covers a number of polar metabolites and enlarges the number of detected analytes -Better efficiency with speedy analysis	Less time life of columns	(107, 111)