Dear Dr. Chen,

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Fahrul Nurkolis

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Partly

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: The manuscript 'Integrated Metabolomics and Bioactivity Analysis of new Chrysanthemum cultivar Petals: Insights into Eye-Protecting Agents' reports a very thorough, well-conducted analysis of the molecular content and synthesis in Chrysanthemum flowers. As such, it is no doubt that this part is worth publishing, eventually in its present form.

Not being an expert in assessing the bioactivity of molecular compounds, I cannot judge the part of the paper concerning the ests in Zebrafish. However, again, the metabolomic and transcrptomic part of this paper is certianly valuable enough to be published.

Reviewer #2: Comments on the article- PONE-D-25-34406ss

Line 21 (Abstract): should be ‘Economical’ and not ‘Economically’

Line 38, 39 (Introduction): Check the grammar

Line 92 (Materials n Methods): check the sentence

Line 127 (section 2.2.1): Check the sentence

Line 160-162 (section 2.4): Please specify if there are two mobile phases and hence rectify the sentence

Section 2.9 (Statistical analysis): The statistical tests appear to be applied appropriately. However, the rationale or the specific purpose behind each test could be clarified better; otherwise, readers less familiar with metabolomics would find this, a bit difficult to comprehend.

Table 1: It is unclear as to why the compound ‘Acacetin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside’ is highlighted out of all other compounds in table 1. Mentioning the reason in the table caption or in a relevant section would give the table better clarity.

Results- The results are presented in detail, but in several cases their broader biological or functional implications are not clearly explained. A more explicit interpretation of what these findings mean in the context of the study objectives would greatly benefit readers. In short a ‘Discussion’ or ‘Interpretation’ section would further strengthen the manuscript.

Overall comment- The manuscript presents a well-structured study with detailed experimental work and clear presentation of results. The use of advanced analytical and statistical methods is appropriate and supports the reliability of the findings. However, the rationale for certain analyses and the broader implications of the results are not always explained in sufficient detail, which may make the manuscript less accessible to readers outside the immediate field. Providing clearer interpretation and including a dedicated discussion section would enhance the clarity, impact, and overall readability of the study.

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what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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While revising your submission, please upload your figure files to the Preflight Analysis and Conversion Engine (PACE) digital diagnostic tool, https://pacev2.apexcovantage.com/ . PACE helps ensure that figures meet PLOS requirements. To use PACE, you must first register as a user. Registration is free. Then, login and navigate to the UPLOAD tab, where you will find detailed instructions on how to use the tool. If you encounter any issues or have any questions when using PACE, please email PLOS at figures@plos.org . Please note that Supporting Information files do not need this step.

Integrated Metabolomics and Bioactivity Analysis of new Chrysanthemum cultivar Petals: Insights into Eye-Protecting Agents

PONE-D-25-34406R1

Dear Dr. Chen,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Fahrul Nurkolis

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Accept!

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

Reviewer #1: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #1: Yes

**********

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: The authors have answered my main comments. I recommend that this paper be accepted in its present form.

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what does this mean? ). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy

Reviewer #1: No

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