Metabolite Profiling of External and Internal Petals in Three Different Colors of Tea Flowers (Camellia sinensis) Using Widely Targeted Metabolomics

The flower is the reproductive organ of tea plant, while it also processed into different kinds products and thus great significance to be utilized. In this study, non-volatile secondary metabolites in internal external petals white, white pink, pink flowers were studied using a widely targeted metabolomics method with ultra-high liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). A total 429 identified, including 195 flavonoids, 121 phenolic acids, 40 alkaloids, 29 lignans coumarins, 19 tannins, 17 terpenoids, 8 other metabolites. colored showed changes flavonoids. Most flavonoids all tannins higher compared petals. Some acids more accumulated petals, others opposite trends. contained lignans, flowers. addition, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was flower, indicating that anthocyanin may main reason for color difference between flower. enriched metabolic pathways involved flavonoid biosynthesis, glycine, serine threonine metabolism, glycerophospholipid phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. findings study broaden current understanding compound plants. It helpful lay theoretical foundation integrated applications