Metabolomics-Based Evaluation of Crop Quality Changes as a Consequence of Climate Change

Volatile Constituents of Some Myrtaceous Edible and Medicinal Fruits from the Brazilian Amazon

Native and exotic fruits from the Amazon have varied characteristics, with aroma being a decisive factor in their acceptance for medicinal use as a nutraceutical supplement. This work aimed to analyze the chemical constituents of the volatile concentrates of some Myrtaceous fruit species sampled in the Brazilian Amazon. The fruit's pulps were subjected to simultaneous distillation-extraction, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze their volatile chemical composition. In the volatile concentrate of Eugenia stipitata (Araçá-boi) α-pinene (17.5%), citronellyl butanoate (15.6%), and pogostol (13.5%) were identified as primary constituents; Eugenia uniflora (Ginja) concentrate comprised curzerene (30.5%), germacrone (15.4%), atractylone (13.1%), and (E)-β-ocimene (11.1%); in Myrciaria dubia (Camu-Camu), α-pinene (55.8%), (E)-β-ocimene (13.1%), and α-terpineol (10.0%) were present; in Psidium guajava (Goiaba) were (2E)-hexenal (21.7%), hexanal (15.4%), caryophylla-4(12),8(13)-dien-5-β-ol (10.5%), caryophyllene oxide (9.2%), and pogostol (8.3%); and in Psidium guineense (Araçá), limonene (25.2%), ethyl butanoate (12.1%), epi-β-bisabolol (9.8%), and α-pinene (9.2%) were the main constituents. The analyzed volatile concentrates of these fruit species presented a significant diversity of constituents with a predominance of functional groups, such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and fatty acid derivatives, originating from the plant's secondary metabolism and playing an important role in their nutritional and medicinal uses.

Lipids and volatile organic compounds in sesame seeds and their relationships with environmental temperature-induced stress

Sesame seeds contain several lipids and fragrances that offer health benefits. However, no studies have reported a relationship between the lipids or flavor compounds of sesame seeds and environmental factors. In this study, we aimed to identify this relationship by analyzing the contents of lipidic and flavor compounds in fifteen genotypes of sesame seeds grown in two cultivation regions (Jeonju and Miryang) and years (2018 and 2019). Herein, 17 lipids and 62 flavor compounds were detected. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that the cultivation year had a larger influence on the contents of lipidic and flavor compounds than the cultivation region and genotype. Furthermore, heat stress due to high cultivation temperature in 2018 caused the accumulation of sugar and secondary metabolites, increased flavor-related substances, and inhibited the degradation of fatty acids. Our study is the first to demonstrate the metabolic changes in lipids and flavor components of sesame in response to environmental temperature changes affected by different cultivation years. Therefore, this study provides guidance for the cultivation of commercially advantageous sesame seeds in improving the quality of sesame seeds and their products.

Influence of Climate Change on Metabolism and Biological Characteristics in Perennial Woody Fruit Crops in the Mediterranean Environment

The changes in the state of the climate have a high impact on perennial fruit crops thus threatening food availability. Indeed, climatic factors affect several plant aspects, such as phenological stages, physiological processes, disease-pest frequency, yield, and qualitative composition of the plant tissues and derived products. To mitigate the effects of climatic parameters variability, plants implement several strategies of defense, by changing phenological trends, altering physiology, increasing carbon sequestration, and metabolites synthesis. This review was divided into two sections. The first provides data on climate change in the last years and a general consideration on their impact, mitigation, and resilience in the production of food crops. The second section reviews the consequences of climate change on the industry of two woody fruit crops models (evergreen and deciduous trees). The research focused on, citrus, olive, and loquat as evergreen trees examples; while grape, apple, pear, cherry, apricot, almond, peach, kiwi, fig, and persimmon as deciduous species. Perennial fruit crops originated by a complex of decisions valuable in a long period and involving economic and technical problems that farmers may quickly change in the case of annual crops. However, the low flexibility of woody crops is balanced by resilience in the long-life cycle.

Floral Scents and Fruit Aromas: Functions, Compositions, Biosynthesis, and Regulation

Floral scents and fruit aromas are crucial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in plants. They are used in defense mechanisms, along with mechanisms to attract pollinators and seed dispersers. In addition, they are economically important for the quality of crops, as well as quality in the perfume, cosmetics, food, drink, and pharmaceutical industries. Floral scents and fruit aromas share many volatile organic compounds in flowers and fruits. Volatile compounds are classified as terpenoids, phenylpropanoids/benzenoids, fatty acid derivatives, and amino acid derivatives. Many genes and transcription factors regulating the synthesis of volatiles have been discovered. In this review, we summarize recent progress in volatile function, composition, biosynthetic pathway, and metabolism regulation. We also discuss unresolved issues and research perspectives, providing insight into improvements and applications of plant VOCs.

Exploring Genotype-by-Environment Interactions of Chemical Composition of Raspberry by Using a Metabolomics Approach

Promoting the consumption of fruits is a key objective of nutrition policy campaigns due to their associated health benefits. Raspberries are well appreciated for their remarkable flavor and nutritional value attributable to their antioxidant properties. Consequently, one of the objectives of present-day raspberry breeding programs is to improve the fruit’s sensory and nutritive characteristics. However, developing new genotypes with enhanced quality traits is a complex task due to the intricate impacts genetic and environmental factors have on these attributes, and the difficulty to phenotype them. We used a multi-platform metabolomic approach to compare flavor- and nutritional-related metabolite profiles of four raspberry cultivars (‘Glen Ample’, ‘Schönemann’, ‘Tulameen’ and ‘Veten’) grown in different European climates. Although the cultivars appear to be better adapted to high latitudes, for their content in soluble solids and acidity, multivariate statistical analyses allowed us to underscore important genotypic differences based on the profiles of important metabolites. ‘Schönemann’ and ‘Veten’ were characterized by high levels of anthocyanins and ellagitannins, respectively, ‘Tulameen’ by its acidity, and ‘Glen Ample’ for its content of sucrose and β-ionone, two main flavor contributors. Our results confirmed the value of metabolomic-driven approaches, which may foster the development of cultivars with enhanced health properties and flavor.