Intercultivar Diversity of Sour Orange (Citrus aurantium L.) Based on Genetic Markers, Phenotypic Characteristics, Aromatic Compounds and Sensorial Analysis

Abstract

Sour oranges (Citrus aurantium L.) are well known in the processing and cosmetics industries for the aromatic properties of their essential oils. Intercultivar genetic and aromatic diversity is not well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of morphological selection and genetic mechanisms of varietal diversification (mutation or hybridization) on the aromatic and odor variability of sour orange essential oils. Forty-five sour orange accessions from INRAE-CIRAD citrus Biological Resources Center (France) were assessed for ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) and 54 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, nine morphochemical fruit traits and with the aromatic components of leaf and peel essential oils. Thirty-nine sour oranges displayed no intercultivar molecular polymorphism and six genotypes originated from interspecific hybridizations involving sour orange, citron, pummelo or mandarin. The peel essential oil (PEO) diversity was low, in accordance with the genetic diversity. The predominance of limonene (>90%) prevents any possible correlation to be made between the composition and the variation in sensory profiles detected by panelists. Few compounds in the leaf essential oil (LEO), such as linalool, linalyl acetate, α-terpineol and geraniol were significantly different across sour oranges varieties. The morphological fruit attributes mainly used in varietal selection differed highly across the main genetically identical group of sour orange accessions. These results confirm that mutation can generate variability in aromatic compounds and aromas and that their exploitation requires an improvement in characterization processes.

Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Citrus hystrix, Citrus limon, Citrus pyriformis, and Citrus microcarpa Leaf Essential Oils against Human Cervical Cancer Cell Line

“…Phytol was identified as the only oxygenated diterpenes detected across all Citrus leaf oils, with relative composition of 0.2–1.6%. Overall, the phytochemical compositions of the major compounds agreed with previously reported studies [ 16 , 30 ]; however, variations were observed for the minor constituents across all species. This observed discrepancy may be due to the influence of several factors, such as geographical origins, climate, and others [ 14 ].…”

“…The characteristic EO profiles of Citrus spp. have been reported to identify species/cultivars, determine genetic diversity, and interpret sensory attributes [ 16 ]. Given the availability of Citrus plants around the world and their associated pharmacological potentials, numerous studies have targeted investigating the chemical composition of EOs derived from different Citrus species and/or varieties that confer distinct pharmacological properties [ 17 ].…”

Essential Oil of Citrus aurantium L. Leaves: Composition, Antioxidant Activity, Elastase and Collagenase Inhibition

“…This result corresponds to higher values reported in the study of Almeida et al [38], who examined seven accessions of sour orange from Brazil. This disparity could be explained by environmental and/or genetic factors, particularly for this species, which presents glandular trichomes on the surface of the leaves [25,[38][39][40][41].…”

Investigation of Diversity by Analyzing the Polymorphism of SSR Markers and the Composition of Leaf and Fruit Essential Oils of 72 Mandarins (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

“…The method, protocol, and apparatus for essential oil analysis are identical to the team's previous publication [33]. Each sample was analyzed via dual column gas chromatography and gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to determine the chemical composition.…”