AUTHOR=Chen Hetao , Kong Jiao , Du Peipei , Wang Qian , Jiang Tao , Hou Xixi , Feng Tingting , Duan Jiajia , Liu Chuanxin 

TITLE=Functional metabolomics: unlocking the role of small molecular metabolites

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-biosciences/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2025.1542100

DOI=10.3389/fmolb.2025.1542100

ISSN=2296-889X

ABSTRACT=Metabolomics is an expanding field dedicated to elucidating metabolic disorders by analyzing endogenous small molecules in biological samples. With the rapid advancement of metabolomics, researchers are investigating the influence of metabolites on metabolic phenotypes. The emergence of functional metabolomics provides a methodological framework to address this issue. This approach focuses on the biological functions of metabolites and their corresponding enzymes while validating the potential mechanisms of differential metabolites through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Despite numerous research findings, a systematic compilation of case studies remains absent. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes and evaluates functional metabolomics, covering its historical development, current state, and future directions, with the aim of fostering its advancement and offering solutions for further research.