Thus, the first step in metabolomic data analysis is to select relevant signals from the raw data, decrease redundancy and generate a data matrix for downstream analysis. In this study, for creating the data matrix (unbiased mass peak extraction, ion intensities identification and alignment of the acquired LC-MS data), an automated approach was applied, using the MarkerLynxTM Application Manager for MassLynxTM software (Waters Corporation, Manchester, UK) for data processing. As described in the experimental section, the MarkerLynxTM application uses the patented ApexTrack peak detection algorithm to perform accurate peak detection and alignment. Following the peak detection, the associated ions are analyzed (the maximum intensity, the Rt and exact m/z mass) and captured for all samples. The data matrix is then generated . The data pre-processing steps and relevant parameters’ settings are detailed in the experimental section.