Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species

Citrus is a globally consumed fruit with great popularity, yet systematic analyses of primary metabolites across major varieties remain scarce, with phenolic acids as an auxiliary focus due to their flavor relevance. In this study, the primary metabolites and phenolic acids of five citrus varieties...

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Main Authors: Yujiao Peng, Xueyu Cui, Manman Sun, Xiaojuan Huang, Ke Tang, Baoqing Hu, Hongze Liao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/223
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author Yujiao Peng
Xueyu Cui
Manman Sun
Xiaojuan Huang
Ke Tang
Baoqing Hu
Hongze Liao
author_facet Yujiao Peng
Xueyu Cui
Manman Sun
Xiaojuan Huang
Ke Tang
Baoqing Hu
Hongze Liao
author_sort Yujiao Peng
collection DOAJ
description Citrus is a globally consumed fruit with great popularity, yet systematic analyses of primary metabolites across major varieties remain scarce, with phenolic acids as an auxiliary focus due to their flavor relevance. In this study, the primary metabolites and phenolic acids of five citrus varieties were analyzed via liquid chromatography‒tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The analysis revealed that five different citrus varieties contained 342 primary metabolites and 77 phenolic acids. The PCA clearly distinguished the metabolites of various citrus varieties. Compared with the pomelo group, the lemon group presented the most differentially abundant metabolites, whereas the kumquat and navel orange groups presented the fewest. An examination of metabolic pathways with notable disparities revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the biosynthesis of amino acids significantly varied between varieties. This study elucidates primary metabolic networks underlying citrus flavor diversification, with phenolic acids providing secondary modulation insights. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the flavor of citrus fruits.
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institution OA Journals
issn 1467-3037
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language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Current Issues in Molecular Biology
spelling doaj-art-223d5fde4b2442b3a825a43b128352e42025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-03-0147422310.3390/cimb47040223Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus SpeciesYujiao Peng0Xueyu Cui1Manman Sun2Xiaojuan Huang3Ke Tang4Baoqing Hu5Hongze Liao6Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Environment Change and Resources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, ChinaKey Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Environment Change and Resources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, 158 West Daxue Road, Nanning 530008, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, 158 West Daxue Road, Nanning 530008, ChinaHeilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences Rural Revitalization Science and Technology Research Institute, 800 Innovation Road, Harbin 150086, ChinaKey Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Environment Change and Resources Utilization of Ministry of Education, Nanning Normal University, Nanning 530001, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, 158 West Daxue Road, Nanning 530008, ChinaCitrus is a globally consumed fruit with great popularity, yet systematic analyses of primary metabolites across major varieties remain scarce, with phenolic acids as an auxiliary focus due to their flavor relevance. In this study, the primary metabolites and phenolic acids of five citrus varieties were analyzed via liquid chromatography‒tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The analysis revealed that five different citrus varieties contained 342 primary metabolites and 77 phenolic acids. The PCA clearly distinguished the metabolites of various citrus varieties. Compared with the pomelo group, the lemon group presented the most differentially abundant metabolites, whereas the kumquat and navel orange groups presented the fewest. An examination of metabolic pathways with notable disparities revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the biosynthesis of amino acids significantly varied between varieties. This study elucidates primary metabolic networks underlying citrus flavor diversification, with phenolic acids providing secondary modulation insights. Moreover, this study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the flavor of citrus fruits.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/223citrus pulpcitrus varietieslipidsprimary metabolitesphenolic acids
spellingShingle Yujiao Peng
Xueyu Cui
Manman Sun
Xiaojuan Huang
Ke Tang
Baoqing Hu
Hongze Liao
Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
citrus pulp
citrus varieties
lipids
primary metabolites
phenolic acids
title Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
title_full Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
title_fullStr Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
title_full_unstemmed Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
title_short Liquid Chromatography‒Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Primary Metabolites and Phenolic Acids Across Five Citrus Species
title_sort liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of primary metabolites and phenolic acids across five citrus species
topic citrus pulp
citrus varieties
lipids
primary metabolites
phenolic acids
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/223
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