Nitrogen is a necessary element for plant growth; therefore, it is important to study the influence of N fertilisers on crop metabolites. In this study, we investigate the variability of endogenous metabolites in brown rice fertilised with different amounts of nitrogen. We identified 489 metabolites in brown rice. Compared to non-nitrogen fertilised groups, there were 59 differentially activated metabolic pathways in the nitrogen-fertilised groups. Additionally, there were significantly differential secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids, between groups treated with moderate (210 kg N/hm2) and excessive amounts of nitrogen (420 kg N/hm2). Nitrogen fertilisation upregulated linoleic acid metabolism and most steroids, steroid derivatives, and flavonoid compounds, which have antioxidant activity. The DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging rates were higher in fertilised groups than in the non-fertilised group. These findings provide a theoretical basis to enhance the health benefits of brown rice by improving fertilisation.
Keywords: antioxidant activity; brown rice; metabolism; nitrogen fertiliser.