Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 35955

Special Issue Editors

Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Interests: plant physiology; secondary metabolites; plant biochemistry; antioxidants; drought stress; poly-phenols; plant water relations; environmental stresses; photosynthesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants acclimate to environmental changes, reprogramming their development, physiology, and metabolism to improve their fitness and allow their survival, especially under stressful conditions. A complete understanding of plant interaction with the environment is obtained integrating morphophysiological and molecular studies. In particular, the use of multiple approaches (the so-called systems biology) allows the investigation of the regulatory networks activated by plants in response to external factors.

Over the past decade, plant metabolomics has become a powerful tool, thanks to the recent advances in mass spectrometry, NMR technology, and bioinformatics. The principal advantage of the metabolomic approach is that metabolites are measured in a nontargeted manner, offering the possibility to study plant responses to environmental stresses in a more holistic way. The metabolite pool includes a wide range of compounds with diverse properties inside the plant, from carbohydrates, organic and amino acids to secondary metabolites.

This Special Issue is devoted to “Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology”, and topics will include (but are not restricted to) the following:

  • Target and un-target analysis of primary and secondary metabolism;
  • Stress physiology and biochemistry;
  • Eco-metabolomics;
  • Environmental metabolomics.

Dr. Cecilia Brunetti
Dr. Antonella Gori
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Plant metabolites
  • Plant biochemistry
  • Metabolomics
  • Plant physiology
  • Environmental stress

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 8970 KiB  
Article
Tree Species and Epiphyte Taxa Determine the “Metabolomic niche” of Canopy Suspended Soils in a Species-Rich Lowland Tropical Rainforest
by Albert Gargallo-Garriga, Jordi Sardans, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Karel Klem, Lucia Fuchslueger, Irene Ramírez-Rojas, Julian Donald, Celine Leroy, Leandro Van Langenhove, Erik Verbruggen, Ivan A. Janssens, Otmar Urban and Josep Peñuelas
Metabolites 2021, 11(11), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11110718 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2224
Abstract
Tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots, but it is not well understood how this diversity is structured and maintained. One hypothesis rests on the generation of a range of metabolic niches, with varied composition, supporting a high species diversity. Characterizing soil metabolomes can reveal [...] Read more.
Tropical forests are biodiversity hotspots, but it is not well understood how this diversity is structured and maintained. One hypothesis rests on the generation of a range of metabolic niches, with varied composition, supporting a high species diversity. Characterizing soil metabolomes can reveal fine-scale differences in composition and potentially help explain variation across these habitats. In particular, little is known about canopy soils, which are unique habitats that are likely to be sources of additional biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling in tropical forests. We studied the effects of diverse tree species and epiphytes on soil metabolomic profiles of forest floor and canopy suspended soils in a French Guianese rainforest. We found that the metabolomic profiles of canopy suspended soils were distinct from those of forest floor soils, differing between epiphyte-associated and non-epiphyte suspended soils, and the metabolomic profiles of suspended soils varied with host tree species, regardless of association with epiphyte. Thus, tree species is a key driver of rainforest suspended soil metabolomics. We found greater abundance of metabolites in suspended soils, particularly in groups associated with plants, such as phenolic compounds, and with metabolic pathways related to amino acids, nucleotides, and energy metabolism, due to the greater relative proportion of tree and epiphyte organic material derived from litter and root exudates, indicating a strong legacy of parent biological material. Our study provides evidence for the role of tree and epiphyte species in canopy soil metabolomic composition and in maintaining the high levels of soil metabolome diversity in this tropical rainforest. It is likely that a wide array of canopy microsite-level environmental conditions, which reflect interactions between trees and epiphytes, increase the microscale diversity in suspended soil metabolomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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16 pages, 2937 KiB  
Article
An Improvement of SPME-Based Sampling Technique to Collect Volatile Organic Compounds from Quercus ilex at the Environmental Level
by Dalila Pasquini, Antonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini and Cecilia Brunetti
Metabolites 2021, 11(6), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11060388 - 14 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2417
Abstract
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants into the atmosphere. These compounds have a great effect on biosphere–atmosphere interactions and may affect the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, with further consequences on human health and forest ecosystems. Novel methods [...] Read more.
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants into the atmosphere. These compounds have a great effect on biosphere–atmosphere interactions and may affect the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, with further consequences on human health and forest ecosystems. Novel methods to measure and determine BVOCs in the atmosphere are of compelling importance considering the ongoing climate changes. In this study, we developed a fast and easy-to-handle analytical methodology to sample these compounds in field experiments using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers at the atmospheric level. An improvement of BVOCs adsorption from SPME fibers was obtained by coupling the fibers with fans to create a dynamic sampling system. This innovative technique was tested sampling Q. ilex BVOCs in field conditions in comparison with the conventional static SPME sampling technique. The results showed a great potential of this dynamic sampling system to collect BVOCs at the atmosphere level, improving the efficiency and sensitivity of SPME fibers. Indeed, our novel device was able to reduce the sampling time, increase the amount of BVOCs collected through the fibers and add information regarding the emissions of these compounds at the environmental level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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19 pages, 2540 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Profiles of Brassica juncea Roots in Response to Cadmium Stress
by Piaopiao Tan, Chaozhen Zeng, Chang Wan, Zhe Liu, Xujie Dong, Jiqing Peng, Haiyan Lin, Mei Li, Zhixiang Liu and Mingli Yan
Metabolites 2021, 11(6), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11060383 - 13 Jun 2021
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 3758
Abstract
Brassica juncea has great application potential in phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil because of its excellent Cd accumulating and high biomass. In this study, we compared the effects of Cd under 48 h and 7 d stress in roots of Brassica juncea using [...] Read more.
Brassica juncea has great application potential in phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil because of its excellent Cd accumulating and high biomass. In this study, we compared the effects of Cd under 48 h and 7 d stress in roots of Brassica juncea using metabolite profiling. The results showed that many metabolic pathways and metabolites in Brassica juncea roots were altered significantly in response to Cd stress. We found that significant differences in levels of amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and indoles were induced by Cd stress at different times, which played a pivotal role in the adaptation of Brassica juncea roots to Cd stress. Meanwhile, Brassica juncea roots could resist 48 h Cd stress by regulating the biosynthesis of amino acids, linoleic acid metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, ABC transporters, arginine biosynthesis, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism; however, they regulated alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, ABC transporters, and linoleic acid metabolism to resist 7 d Cd stress. A metabolomic expedition to the response of Brassica juncea to Cd stress will help to comprehend its tolerance and accumulation mechanisms of Cd. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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21 pages, 5562 KiB  
Article
Effect of the Andean Geography and Climate on the Specialized Metabolism of Its Vegetation: The Subtribe Espeletiinae (Asteraceae) as a Case Example
by Guillermo F. Padilla-González, Mauricio Diazgranados and Fernando B. Da Costa
Metabolites 2021, 11(4), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11040220 - 04 Apr 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2845
Abstract
The Andean mountains are ‘center stage’ to some of the most spectacular examples of plant diversifications, where geographic isolation and past climatic fluctuations have played a major role. However, the influence of Andean geography and climate as drivers of metabolic variation in Andean [...] Read more.
The Andean mountains are ‘center stage’ to some of the most spectacular examples of plant diversifications, where geographic isolation and past climatic fluctuations have played a major role. However, the influence of Andean geography and climate as drivers of metabolic variation in Andean plants is poorly elucidated. Here, we studied the influence of those factors on the metabolome of the subtribe Espeletiinae (Asteraceae) using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry data of over two hundred samples from multiple locations. Our results demonstrate that metabolic profiles can discriminate Espeletiinae taxa at different geographic scales, revealing inter- and intraspecific metabolic variations: at the country level, segregation between Colombian and Venezuelan taxa was observed; regionally, between páramo massifs; and locally, between páramo complexes. Metabolic differences in Espeletiinae were mainly explained by geographic isolation, although differences in taxonomic genera, temperature, and elevation, were also important. Furthermore, we found that different species inhabiting the same páramo complex showed stronger chemical similarities than the same species at different locations, corroborating that geographic isolation represents the main driver of metabolic change in Espeletiinae. The current study serves as a starting point to fill in the gaps in how Andean geography and climate have shaped the metabolism of its vegetation and reveal the potential of untargeted metabolomics to study the environmental physiology of plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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15 pages, 3576 KiB  
Article
The Dynamic Responses of Oil Palm Leaf and Root Metabolome to Phosphorus Deficiency
by Isiaka Ibrahim Muhammad, Siti Nor Akmar Abdullah, Halimi Mohd Saud, Noor Azmi Shaharuddin and Nurulfiza Mat Isa
Metabolites 2021, 11(4), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11040217 - 02 Apr 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2083
Abstract
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) starvation is an important abiotic constraint that affects plant cellular homeostasis, especially in tropical regions with high acidic soil and less solubilizable Pi. In the current work, oil palm seedlings were hydroponically maintained under optimal Pi-supply and no Pi-supply conditions [...] Read more.
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) starvation is an important abiotic constraint that affects plant cellular homeostasis, especially in tropical regions with high acidic soil and less solubilizable Pi. In the current work, oil palm seedlings were hydroponically maintained under optimal Pi-supply and no Pi-supply conditions for 14 days, and metabolites were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), from leaves and roots, after seven and 14 days of treatment, to investigate biochemical pathways in relation to P-utilizing strategy. After seven days of limited Pi, plant leaves showed increased levels of most soluble sugars, and after 14 days, the sugars’ level decrease, except for erythritol, mannose, fructose, and glucose, which showed the highest levels. Rather in root samples, there were different but overlapping alterations, mainly on sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. The leaf sample was shown to have the highest response of sugars with myo-inositol playing a vital role in the redistribution of sugars, while maltose levels increased, indicating active degradation of starch in the root. High levels of glycerol and stearate in both roots and leaves suggest the metabolism of storage lipids for cellular energy during Pi-deficient conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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25 pages, 4267 KiB  
Article
Metabolomics of Photosynthetically Active Tissues in White Grapes: Effects of Light Microclimate and Stress Mitigation Strategies
by Andreia Garrido, Jasper Engel, Roland Mumm, Artur Conde, Ana Cunha and Ric C. H. De Vos
Metabolites 2021, 11(4), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11040205 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
The effects of climate change are becoming a real concern for the viticulture sector, with impacts on both grapevine physiology and the quality of the fresh berries and wine. Short-term mitigation strategies, like foliar kaolin application and smart irrigation regimes, have been implemented [...] Read more.
The effects of climate change are becoming a real concern for the viticulture sector, with impacts on both grapevine physiology and the quality of the fresh berries and wine. Short-term mitigation strategies, like foliar kaolin application and smart irrigation regimes, have been implemented to overcome these problems. We previously showed that these strategies also influence the photosynthetic activity of the berries themselves, specifically in the exocarp and seed. In the present work, we assessed the modulating effects of both canopy-light microclimate, kaolin and irrigation treatments on the metabolic profiles of the exocarp and seed, as well as the potential role of berry photosynthesis herein. Berries from the white variety Alvarinho were collected at two contrasting light microclimate positions within the vine canopy (HL—high light and LL—low light) from both irrigated and kaolin-treated plants, and their respective controls, at three fruit developmental stages (green, véraison and mature). Untargeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) profiling of semi-polar extracts followed by multivariate statistical analysis indicate that both the light microclimate and irrigation influenced the level of a series of phenolic compounds, depending on the ripening stage of the berries. Moreover, untargeted gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) profiling of polar extracts show that amino acid and sugar levels were influenced mainly by the interaction of irrigation and kaolin treatments. The results reveal that both photosynthetically active berry tissues had a distinct metabolic profile in response to the local light microclimate, which suggests a specific role of photosynthesis in these tissues. A higher light intensity within the canopy mainly increased the supply of carbon precursors to the phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathway, resulting in increased levels of phenolic compounds in the exocarp, while in seeds, light mostly influenced compounds related to carbon storage and seed development. In addition, our work provides new insights into the influence of abiotic stress mitigation strategies on the composition of exocarps and seeds, which are both important tissues for the quality of grape-derived products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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17 pages, 17851 KiB  
Article
Potassium Improves Drought Stress Tolerance in Plants by Affecting Root Morphology, Root Exudates, and Microbial Diversity
by Qiwen Xu, Hao Fu, Bo Zhu, Hafiz Athar Hussain, Kangping Zhang, Xiaoqing Tian, Meichun Duan, Xiaoyu Xie and Longchang Wang
Metabolites 2021, 11(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11030131 - 24 Feb 2021
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3687
Abstract
Potassium (K) reduces the deleterious effects of drought stress on plants. However, this mitigation has been studied mainly in the aboveground plant pathways, while the effect of K on root-soil interactions in the underground part is still underexplored. Here, we conducted the experiments [...] Read more.
Potassium (K) reduces the deleterious effects of drought stress on plants. However, this mitigation has been studied mainly in the aboveground plant pathways, while the effect of K on root-soil interactions in the underground part is still underexplored. Here, we conducted the experiments to investigate how K enhances plant resistance and tolerance to drought by controlling rhizosphere processes. Three culture methods (sand, water, and soil) evaluated two rapeseed cultivars’ root morphology, root exudates, soil nutrients, and microbial community structure under different K supply levels and water conditions to construct a defensive network of the underground part. We found that K supply increased the root length and density and the organic acids secretion. The organic acids were significantly associated with the available potassium decomposition, in order of formic acid > malonic acid > lactic acid > oxalic acid > citric acid. However, the mitigation had the hormesis effect, as the appropriate range of K facilitated the morphological characteristic and physiological function of the root system with increases of supply levels, while the excessive input of K could hinder the plant growth. The positive effect of K-fertilizer on soil pH, available phosphorus and available potassium content, and microbial diversity index was more significant under the water stress. The rhizosphere nutrients and pH further promoted the microbial community development by the structural equation modeling, while the non-rhizosphere nutrients had an indirect negative effect on microbes. In short, K application could alleviate drought stress on the growth and development of plants by regulating the morphology and secretion of roots and soil ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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17 pages, 2309 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Profiling of Hybrids Generated from Pummelo and Citrus latipes in Relation to Their Attraction to Diaphorina citri, the Vector of Huanglongbing
by Nabil Killiny, Shelley E. Jones, Faraj Hijaz, Abdelaziz Kishk, Yulica Santos-Ortega, Yasser Nehela, Ahmad A. Omar, Qibin Yu, Fred G. Gmitter, Jr., Jude W. Grosser and Manjul Dutt
Metabolites 2020, 10(12), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10120477 - 24 Nov 2020
Viewed by 2321
Abstract
The citrus industry at present is severely affected by huanglongbing disease (HLB). HLB is caused by the supposed bacterial pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and is transmitted by the insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. Developing new citrus hybrids to [...] Read more.
The citrus industry at present is severely affected by huanglongbing disease (HLB). HLB is caused by the supposed bacterial pathogen “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and is transmitted by the insect vector, the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. Developing new citrus hybrids to improve HLB management is much needed. In this study, we investigated the metabolomic profiles of three new hybrids produced from the cross of C2-5-12 Pummelo (Citrus maxima (L.) Osbeck) × pollen from Citrus latipes. The hybrids were selected based on leaf morphology and seedling vigor. The selected hybrids exhibited compact and upright tree architecture as seen in C. latipes. Hybrids were verified by simple sequence repeat markers, and were subjected to metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polar metabolites profiling also showed that the new hybrids were different from their parents. Interestingly, the levels of stored VOCs in hybrid II were higher than those observed in its parents and other hybrids. The level of most VOCs released by hybrid II was also higher than that released from its parents. Additionally, the preference assay showed that hybrid II was more attractive to D. citri than its parents and other hybrids. The leaf morphology, compact and upright architecture of hybrid II, and its attraction to D. citri suggest that it could be used as a windbreak and trap tree for D. citri (double duty), once its tolerance to HLB disease is confirmed. Our results showed that metabolomic analysis could be successfully used to understand the biochemical mechanisms controlling the interaction of D. citri with its host plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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14 pages, 2338 KiB  
Article
Comparative Metabolomic Analysis of Dendrobium officinale under Different Cultivation Substrates
by Si-Min Zuo, Hai-Dong Yu, Weimin Zhang, Qiuping Zhong, Wenxue Chen, Weijun Chen, Yong-Huan Yun and Haiming Chen
Metabolites 2020, 10(8), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10080325 - 10 Aug 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 3026
Abstract
Dendrobium officinale, a precious herbal medicine, has been used for a long time in Chinese history. The metabolites of D. officinale, regarded as its effective components to fight diseases, are significantly affected by cultivation substrates. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography [...] Read more.
Dendrobium officinale, a precious herbal medicine, has been used for a long time in Chinese history. The metabolites of D. officinale, regarded as its effective components to fight diseases, are significantly affected by cultivation substrates. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was conducted to analyze D. officinale stems cultured in three different substrates: pine bark (PB), coconut coir (CC), and a pine bark: coconut coir 1:1 mix (PC). A total of 529 metabolites were identified. Multivariate statistical analysis methods were employed to analyze the difference in the content of metabolites extracted from different groups. By the criteria of variable importance in projection (VIP) value ≥1 and absolute log2 (fold change) ≥1, there were a total of 68, 51, and 57 metabolites, with significant differences in content across groups being filtrated out between PB and PC, PB and CC, and PC and CC, respectively. The comparisons among the three groups revealed that flavonoids were the metabolites that fluctuated most. The results suggested the D. officinale stems from the PB group possessed a higher flavonoid content. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the significantly regulated metabolites were mainly connected with flavonoid biosynthesis. A comprehensive profile of the metabolic differentiation of D. officinale planted in different substrates was provided, which supports the selection of an optimum cultivation substrate for a higher biomass yield of D. officinale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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13 pages, 1427 KiB  
Article
Metabolism of the Cyanogenic Glucosides in Developing Flax: Metabolic Analysis, and Expression Pattern of Genes
by Magdalena Zuk, Katarzyna Pelc, Jakub Szperlik, Agnieszka Sawula and Jan Szopa
Metabolites 2020, 10(7), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10070288 - 14 Jul 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2579
Abstract
Cyanogenic glucosides (CG), the monoglycosides linamarin and lotaustralin, as well as the diglucosides linustatin and neolinustatin, have been identified in flax. The roles of CG and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), specifically the product of their breakdown, differ and are understood only to a certain [...] Read more.
Cyanogenic glucosides (CG), the monoglycosides linamarin and lotaustralin, as well as the diglucosides linustatin and neolinustatin, have been identified in flax. The roles of CG and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), specifically the product of their breakdown, differ and are understood only to a certain extent. HCN is toxic to aerobic organisms as a respiratory inhibitor and to enzymes containing heavy metals. On the other hand, CG and HCN are important factors in the plant defense system against herbivores, insects and pathogens. In this study, fluctuations in CG levels during flax growth and development (using UPLC) and the expression of genes encoding key enzymes for their metabolism (valine N-monooxygenase, linamarase, cyanoalanine nitrilase and cyanoalanine synthase) using RT-PCR were analyzed. Linola cultivar and transgenic plants characterized by increased levels of sulfur amino acids were analyzed. This enabled the demonstration of a significant relationship between the cyanide detoxification process and general metabolism. Cyanogenic glucosides are used as nitrogen-containing precursors for the synthesis of amino acids, proteins and amines. Therefore, they not only perform protective functions against herbivores but are general plant growth regulators, especially since changes in their level have been shown to be strongly correlated with significant stages of plant development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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19 pages, 7576 KiB  
Article
Modulation of the Tomato Fruit Metabolome by LED Light
by Nikolaos Ntagkas, Ric C. H. de Vos, Ernst J. Woltering, Celine C. S. Nicole, Caroline Labrie and Leo F. M. Marcelis
Metabolites 2020, 10(6), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo10060266 - 26 Jun 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4035
Abstract
Metabolic profiles of tomatoes change during ripening and light can modulate the activity of relevant biochemical pathways. We investigated the effects of light directly supplied to the fruits on the metabolome of the fruit pericarp during ripening. Mature green tomatoes were exposed to [...] Read more.
Metabolic profiles of tomatoes change during ripening and light can modulate the activity of relevant biochemical pathways. We investigated the effects of light directly supplied to the fruits on the metabolome of the fruit pericarp during ripening. Mature green tomatoes were exposed to well-controlled conditions with light as the only varying factor; control fruits were kept in darkness. In experiment 1 the fruits were exposed to either white light or darkness for 15 days. In experiment 2, fruits were exposed to different light spectra (blue, green, red, far-red, white) added to white background light for seven days. Changes in the global metabolome of the fruit pericarp were monitored using LCMS and GCMS (554 compounds in total). Health-beneficial compounds (carotenoids, flavonoids, tocopherols and phenolic acids) accumulated faster under white light compared to darkness, while alkaloids and chlorophylls decreased faster. Light also changed the levels of taste-related metabolites including glutamate and malate. The light spectrum treatments indicated that the addition of blue light was the most effective treatment in altering the fruit metabolome. We conclude that light during ripening of tomatoes can have various effects on the metabolome and may help with shaping the levels of key compounds involved in various fruit quality characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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22 pages, 1907 KiB  
Article
Insights on Salt Tolerance of Two Endemic Limonium Species from Spain
by Sara González-Orenga, P. Pablo Ferrer-Gallego, Emilio Laguna, M. Pilar López-Gresa, Maria P. Donat-Torres, Mercedes Verdeguer, Oscar Vicente and Monica Boscaiu
Metabolites 2019, 9(12), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo9120294 - 29 Nov 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3128
Abstract
We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers—photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents—associated to salt stress were [...] Read more.
We have analysed the salt tolerance of two endemic halophytes of the genus Limonium, with high conservation value. In the present study, seed germination and growth parameters as well as different biomarkers—photosynthetic pigments, mono and divalent ion contents—associated to salt stress were evaluated in response to high levels of NaCl. The study was completed with an untargeted metabolomics analysis of the primary compounds including carbohydrates, phosphoric and organic acids, and amino acids, identified by using a gas chromatography and mass spectrometry platform. Limonium albuferae proved to be more salt-tolerant than L. doufourii, both at the germination stage and during vegetative growth. The degradation of photosynthetic pigments and the increase of Na+/K+ ratio under salt stress were more accentuated in the less tolerant second species. The metabolomics analysis unravelled several differences between the two species. The higher salt tolerance of L. albuferae may rely on its specific accumulation of fructose and glucose under high salinity conditions, the first considered as a major osmolyte in this genus. In addition, L. albuferae showed steady levels of citric and malic acids, whereas the glutamate family pathway was strongly activated under stress in both species, leading to the accumulation of proline (Pro) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomics in Plant Environmental Physiology)
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