Pigment-Related Mutations Greatly Affect Berry Metabolome in San Marzano Tomatoes

The study describes the alterations in metabolomic profiles of four tomato fruit mutations introgressed into Solanum lycopersicum cv. San Marzano, a well-known Italian traditional variety. Three lines carrying variants affecting content all pigments, high pigment-1 (hp-1), hp-2, pigment diluter (pd), and combination Anthocyanin atroviolaceum (Aft_atv), were selected, characterized. Biochemical analysis 44 non-polar, 133 polar, 65 volatile metabolites ripe fruits revealed wide range differences between variant recurrent parent Marzano. Among non-polar compounds, many carotenoids, plastoquinones, tocopherols increased lines, as well Aft_atv, whose β-carotene levels too. Interestingly, pd displayed enriched xanthophylls (all-trans-neoxanthin luteoxanthin) but, simultaneously, decreased α-and β-/γ-tocopherols. Looking at polar fraction, significant decrease sugar profile was observed hp-1, pd, Aft_atv. Conversely, vitamins organic acids hp-2 Aft_atv respectively. Overall, phenylpropanoids metabolic group with highest extent changes, considerable increases compounds mainly case followed by lines. Finally, several flavor-related found to be modified mutants, mostly due benzenoid, lipid, phenylalanine derivative volatiles, which are associated sweeter taste better aroma. Construction maps, interaction networks, correlation matrices gave an integrated representation large effect single on metabolome. In conclusion, identified mutated might contribute generating novel phenotypes Marzano type, desirable nutraceutical organoleptic properties.