Widely targeted metabolome profiling of different plateau raspberries and berry parts provides innovative insight into their antioxidant activities

Abstract

Raspberries are highly nutritious and have powerful antioxidant properties, making them functional berries with positive effects on physiological functioning. However, there is limited information available on the diversity and variability of metabolites in raspberry and its parts, especially in plateau raspberries. To address this, commercial raspberries and their pulp and seeds from two plateaus in China were subjected to LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics analysis and evaluated for antioxidant activity using four assays. A metabolite-metabolite correlation network was established based on antioxidant activity and correlation analysis. The results showed that 1661 metabolites were identified and classified into 12 categories, with significant variations in composition between the whole berry and its parts from different plateaus. Flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, and phenolic acids were found to be up-regulated in Qinghai’s raspberry compared to Yunnan’s raspberry. The main differently regulated pathways were related to flavonoid, amino acid, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. The antioxidant activity of Qinghai’s raspberry was stronger than Yunnan’s raspberry, and the order of antioxidant capacity was seed > pulp > berry. The highest FRAP (420.31 µM TE/g DW) values was found in the seed of Qinghai’s raspberry. Overall, these findings suggest that the environment in which the berries grow can affect their chemical composition, and comprehensive exploitation and cultivation of whole raspberry and its parts from different plateaus can lead to new opportunities for phytochemical compositions and antioxidant activity.

Differences in primary metabolism related to quality of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit under open field and protected soilless culture growing conditions

“…Rodrıǵuez et al (2019) reported that higher electrical conductivity of nutrient solution of tomatoes grown during winter showed a higher concentration of amino acids, which may be due to an imbalance in the metabolic processes associated with the flow of carbon and nitrogen. On the other hand, Ren et al (2023) emphasized the role of amino acids such as L-lysine and L-glutamine in contributing to the antioxidant capacity of raspberries, which should be further studied for both conditions. Therefore, the relationship of the metabolites with essential pathways for plant growth and stress response emphasizes the influence of growing conditions on the metabolic profile and quality of raspberries.…”

“…The metabolomic profile has been an innovative tool for understanding the metabolic response of plants exposed to different growing and storage conditions. Ren et al. (2023) used widely targeted metabolome of raspberries to correlate the antioxidant capacity and metabolites of fruit grown under different environments.…”

“…The metabolomic profile has been an innovative tool for understanding the metabolic response of plants exposed to different growing and storage conditions. Ren et al (2023) used widely targeted metabolome of raspberries to correlate the antioxidant capacity and metabolites of fruit grown under different environments. Similarly, Durań-Soria et al ( 2021) used a multi-platform metabolomic approach to contrast the metabolite profiles associated with flavor and nutrition in different raspberry cultivars.…”