# Enhancing agrifood systems with metabolomics: from crop improvement to food quality

## TL;DR

Metabolomics helps improve agriculture by understanding plant and animal metabolism, leading to better crops, food quality, and sustainability.

## Contribution

This review highlights metabolomics' role in enhancing agrifood systems in Uruguay through crop improvement and sustainable practices.

## Key findings

- Metabolomics provides insights into metabolic processes for better crop yield and food quality.
- Applications in soybeans, meat, and citrus fruits show improved agricultural decision-making.
- The approach supports sustainable practices and food security in agrifood systems.

## Abstract

Metabolomics has emerged as a prominent tool in agrifood production and agriculture, offering comprehensive insights into the metabolic processes of plants and animals. In Uruguay, where agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy, the application of metabolomics has the potential to significantly enhance the productivity and sustainability of agrifood systems. This review explores its diverse applications, highlighting its role in optimizing crop yield, agrifood quality, and agricultural sustainability. It also emphasizes the transformative impact of metabolomics in advancing agricultural practices and ensuring food security. This review discusses examples of agrifood production, including soybeans, meat, olive oil, citrus fruits, and potential new fruit crops. By providing detailed comprehension into the metabolic processes of plants and animals, metabolomics enables researchers, stakeholders and farmers to make more informed decisions about breeding, cultivation, and production practices. This, in turn, leads to improved crop yields, higher quality agrifood products, and more sustainable agricultural systems.