System level analysis of cacao seed ripening reveals a sequential interplay of primary and secondary metabolism leading to polyphenol accumulation and preparation of stress resistance

Autor(en)
Lei Wang, Thomas Nägele, Hannes Doerfler, Lena Fragner, Palak Chaturvedi, Ella Nukarinen, Anke Bellaire, Werner Huber, Jakob Weiszmann, Doris Engelmeier, Ziva Ramsak, Kristina Gruden, Wolfram Weckwerth
Abstrakt

Theobroma cacao and its popular product, chocolate, are attracting attention due to potential health benefits including antioxidative effects by polyphenols, anti-depressant effects by high serotonin levels, inhibition of platelet aggregation and prevention of obesity-dependent insulin resistance. The development of cacao seeds during fruit ripening is the most crucial process for the accumulation of these compounds. In this study, we analyzed the primary and the secondary metabolome as well as the proteome during Theobroma cacao cv. Forastero seed development by applying an integrative extraction protocol. The combination of multivariate statistics and mathematical modelling revealed a complex consecutive coordination of primary and secondary metabolism and corresponding pathways. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and aromatic amino acid metabolism dominated during the early developmental stages (stages 1 and 2; cell division and expansion phase). This was accompanied with a significant shift of proteins from phenylpropanoid metabolism to flavonoid biosynthesis. At stage 3 (reserve accumulation phase), metabolism of sucrose switched from hydrolysis into raffinose synthesis. Lipids as well as proteins involved in lipid metabolism increased whereas amino acids and N-phenylpropenoyl amino acids decreased. Purine alkaloids, polyphenols, and raffinose as well as proteins involved in abiotic and biotic stress accumulated at stage 4 (maturation phase) endowing cacao seeds the characteristic astringent taste and resistance to stress. In summary, metabolic key points of cacao seed development comprise the sequential coordination of primary metabolites, phenylpropanoid, N-phenylpropenoyl amino acid, serotonin, lipid and polyphenol metabolism thereby covering the major compound classes involved in cacao aroma and health benefits.

Organisation(en)
Department für Botanik und Biodiversitätsforschung, Forschungsplattform Vienna Metabolomics Center
Externe Organisation(en)
National Institute of Biology
Journal
The Plant Journal
Band
87
Seiten
318-332
Anzahl der Seiten
15
ISSN
0960-7412
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.13201
Publikationsdatum
08-2016
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
106008 Botanik, 106044 Systembiologie
Schlagwörter
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Genetics, Plant Science, Cell Biology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3 – Gesundheit und Wohlergehen
Link zum Portal
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/de/publications/system-level-analysis-of-cacao-seed-ripening-reveals-a-sequential-interplay-of-primary-and-secondary-metabolism-leading-to-polyphenol-accumulation-and-preparation-of-stress-resistance(fa6591b0-0bf8-45d9-bca2-a6147fda873a).html