Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats

Abstract Background Peanut seeds exhibit a high susceptibility to infection by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) post-harvest, which significantly limits their storage and marketability. The peanut seed coat acts as a crucial barrier against A. flavus, containing abundant flavonoids. Despite ongoing re...

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Main Authors: Xuejie Zhao, Minghui Xing, LiJing Zhang, Suoyi Han, Xinyou Zhang, Jinyong Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07159-5
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author Xuejie Zhao
Minghui Xing
LiJing Zhang
Suoyi Han
Xinyou Zhang
Jinyong Huang
author_facet Xuejie Zhao
Minghui Xing
LiJing Zhang
Suoyi Han
Xinyou Zhang
Jinyong Huang
author_sort Xuejie Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Peanut seeds exhibit a high susceptibility to infection by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) post-harvest, which significantly limits their storage and marketability. The peanut seed coat acts as a crucial barrier against A. flavus, containing abundant flavonoids. Despite ongoing research, a comprehensive understanding of the inhibitory effects of flavonoids present in peanut seed coats on A. flavus remains elusive. Results This study reveals significant differences in antioxidant activities and resistance to A. flavus among seed coat extracts from different peanut cultivars. A total of 1,314 metabolites were identified through untargeted metabolomics, among which flavonoids enhance both antioxidant activity and pigmentation in the seed coat. Compounds such as anthocyanins, aurones, and chalcones were strongly associated with increased resistance to A. flavus. Notably, cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside exhibited the highest concentration (10.83 mg/g dry weight) and demonstrated a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL. By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we revealed candidate genes and metabolic pathways potentially associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying peanut resistance to A. flavus, while also supporting the valorization of peanut by-products and the breeding of resistant cultivars.
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issn 1471-2229
language English
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publisher BMC
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series BMC Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-1eafc01419ad4ef39586eeebaf8cd5e32025-08-24T11:16:57ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-08-0125111410.1186/s12870-025-07159-5Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coatsXuejie Zhao0Minghui Xing1LiJing Zhang2Suoyi Han3Xinyou Zhang4Jinyong Huang5School of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversitySchool of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversitySchool of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversityHenan Academy of Agricultural SciencesHenan Academy of Agricultural SciencesSchool of Life Sciences, Zhengzhou UniversityAbstract Background Peanut seeds exhibit a high susceptibility to infection by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) post-harvest, which significantly limits their storage and marketability. The peanut seed coat acts as a crucial barrier against A. flavus, containing abundant flavonoids. Despite ongoing research, a comprehensive understanding of the inhibitory effects of flavonoids present in peanut seed coats on A. flavus remains elusive. Results This study reveals significant differences in antioxidant activities and resistance to A. flavus among seed coat extracts from different peanut cultivars. A total of 1,314 metabolites were identified through untargeted metabolomics, among which flavonoids enhance both antioxidant activity and pigmentation in the seed coat. Compounds such as anthocyanins, aurones, and chalcones were strongly associated with increased resistance to A. flavus. Notably, cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside exhibited the highest concentration (10.83 mg/g dry weight) and demonstrated a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL. By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we revealed candidate genes and metabolic pathways potentially associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis. Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying peanut resistance to A. flavus, while also supporting the valorization of peanut by-products and the breeding of resistant cultivars.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07159-5PeanutMetabolomicsTranscriptomicAspergillus flavusAntioxidant activityFlavonoid biosynthesis
spellingShingle Xuejie Zhao
Minghui Xing
LiJing Zhang
Suoyi Han
Xinyou Zhang
Jinyong Huang
Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
BMC Plant Biology
Peanut
Metabolomics
Transcriptomic
Aspergillus flavus
Antioxidant activity
Flavonoid biosynthesis
title Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
title_full Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
title_fullStr Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
title_full_unstemmed Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
title_short Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and Aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
title_sort integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis highlight the flavonoid response to antioxidant activity and aspergillus flavus resistance in peanut seed coats
topic Peanut
Metabolomics
Transcriptomic
Aspergillus flavus
Antioxidant activity
Flavonoid biosynthesis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07159-5
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