Patterns of Volatile Diversity Yield Insights Into the Genetics and Biochemistry of the Date Palm Fruit Volatilome

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds are key components of the fruit metabolome that contribute to traits such as aroma and taste. Here we report on the diversity of 90 flavor-related fruit traits in date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) including 80 volatile organic compounds, which collectively represent the fruit volatilome, as well as 6 organic acids, and 4 sugars in tree-ripened fruits. We characterize these traits in 148 date palms representing 135 varieties using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography. We discovered new volatile compounds unknown in date palm including 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, an attractant of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier), a key pest that threatens the date palm crop. Associations between volatile composition and sugar and moisture content suggest that differences among fruits in these traits may be characterized by system-wide differences in fruit metabolism. Correlations between volatiles indicate medium chain and long chain fatty acid ester volatiles are regulated independently, possibly reflecting differences in the biochemistry of fatty acid precursors. Finally, we took advantage of date palm clones in our analysis to estimate broad-sense heritabilities of volatiles and demonstrate that at least some of volatile diversity has a genetic basis.

Reverse chemical ecology approach for sustainable palm tree protection against invasive palm weevils

“…S3), which is distantly related to ItypOR6/DponOR8/HabiOR3. 2-PE has already been reported in palms 51 . It would be more interesting to know whether 2-PE is an antifeedant/deterrent in other curculionids and, thus, why RferOR2 detects it, which is tuned to attractants.…”

“…Apart palm esters, we investigated whether RferOR2 detects other palm volatiles by including two key ketones (2-pentanone and acetoin) commonly reported as palm volatiles [49][50][51] . Our results showed that RferOR2 did not exclusively detect palm esters (Fig.…”

“…3A) could be observed. Acetoin is a major naturally occurring date palm volatile 51 ; hence, detection of this compound is vital for palm weevil host localization and colonization. The capacity of RferOR2 to detect palm esters and other palm host volatiles, such as acetoin, may have facilitated rapid diversification and range expansion of the palm weevil.…”

Date Fruits as Raw Material for Vinegar and Non-Alcoholic Fermented Beverages

“…The aroma and flavor comes from a complex mixture atile compounds. From the volatiloma of 135 varieties of dates, 80 volatile comp belonging to acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and esters, were described [41]. The most f variety of P. dactylifera is Majoul, which was first imported into the USA from M Instead, Ajwa variety dates can be distinguished from other date varieties due t…”

“…Date fruits from P. dactylifera are much appreciated for their flavor, which has been extensively studied [41][42][43]. The aroma and flavor comes from a complex mixture of volatile compounds.…”