Integration of Volatilomics and Metabolomics Unveils Key Flavor-Related Biological Pathways in Different Carambola Cultivars

Abstract

Carambola is a tropical fruit that is highly sought after by consumers due to its unique flavor, star shape, and nutritional value. Enhancing the flavor quality of this fruit can increase the consumer acceptance and market demand. However, flavor is an intrinsic characteristic of fruits. Its decoding requires in-depth knowledge based on recognizing key biological pathways relevant to flavor formation and development. In this study, the volatile and non-volatile metabolites contributing to the flavor variation of five carambola cultivars were investigated by a novel strategy combining GC–MS/O-based volatilomics with LC–MS-based metabolomics. Several significant flavor-related pathways, involving biosynthesis or metabolism of amino acids, terpenoids, fatty acids, sugar and organic acid, and flavonoids were identified based on the enrichment analysis of important volatile and non-volatile metabolites. The results indicated that there were metabolites in the flavor-related pathways being up- or downregulated, leading to the differences in flavor traits of different carambola cultivars. This study could provide a valuable reference for breeders and researchers of interest in the mechanisms underlying the regulation of flavor, which would ultimately lead to the creation of carambola cultivars with more attractive flavor profiles and pleasurable consuming experiences.

Infraspecific Chemical Variability and Metabolomic Profiling by Paper Spray Ionization (PSI‐MS) of Averrhoa carambola from Different Brazilian Biomes

“…Numerous studies have applied mass spectrometry-based metabolomic approaches to evaluate secondary metabolites of A. carambola and their implications qualitatively and quantitatively in biological activities, nutritional composition, and organoleptic characteristics. 22 However, studies reporting differences in secondary metabolite profiles among A. carambola fruits from different origins are scarce. A recent study by Ramadan et al (2023) 23 represents the first metabolome profiling targeting secondary bioactive in A. carambola fruit at different ripening stages from several origins.…”

Paired metabolomics and volatilomics provides insight into transient high light stress response mechanisms of the coral Montipora mollis

“…Comparatively to primary and secondary metabolites, few studies have investigated changes in specific volatiles under light stress (e.g., dimethyl sulfide; Deschaseaux et al, 2014 ). While the power gained by pairing these approaches has been utilised across other fields – for example, in food chemistry to detect metabolic markers of certain flavours (Li et al, 2023 ), or in medicine for early cancer detection using urine (Mallafré-Muro et al, 2021 ) – no studies to date have paired metabolomics and volatilomics to study coral holobiont stress. Combining volatilomics and metabolomics may provide greater understanding of the metabolic processes underlying photoacclimation and high-light stress responses in the coral holobiont.…”