Metabolomics analysis of cucumber fruit in response to foliar fertilizer and pesticides using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS

Biotransformation of 5-methoxy-N-isopropyl-N-methyltryptamine by zebrafish and human liver microsome with high-resolution mass spectrometry

To explore the metabolites of 5-Methoxy-N-isopropyl-N-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT) and unveil its toxicological effects, we examined its metabolic profiles using zebrafish and human liver microsome models. Employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-HRMS), we analyzed samples from intoxicated zebrafish and human liver microsomes. In the zebrafish model, we identified a total of six metabolites. Primary phase I metabolic pathways involved N-Demethylation and Indole-hydroxylation reactions, while phase II metabolism included Glucoside conjugation directly, Glucoside conjugation after Indole-hydroxylation, and Sulfonation following Indole-hydroxylation. In the human liver microsome model, nine metabolites were generated. Major phase I metabolic pathways encompassed N-Demethylation, 5-O-Demethylation, and N-Depropylation, N-Oxidation, Indole-hydroxylation, N-Demethylation combined with Indole-hydroxylation, and 5-O-Methylation-carboxylation. Phase II metabolism involved Glucoside conjugation after Indole-hydroxylation, as well as Glucoside conjugation after 5-O-Demethylation. Proposed phase I metabolites, such as 5-MeO-MiPT-N-Demethylation (5-MeO-NiPT) and 5-MeO-MiPT-Indole-hydroxylation, alongside the phase II metabolite OH&Glucoside conjugation-5-MeO-MiPT, were identified as effective markers for screening 5-MeO-MiPT intake. This study systematically delineates the phase I and II metabolites of 5-MeO-MiPT, confirming their pathways through in vivo and in vitro extrapolation. Additionally, inclusion of the parent drug itself and OH&Glucoside conjugation-5-MeO-MiPT could serve as valuable confirmation tools.

Assessing the impact of Chlorantraniliprole (CAP) pesticide stress on oilseed rape (Brassia campestris L.): Residue dynamics, enzyme activities, and metabolite profiling

This study investigates the effects of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) pesticide stress on oilseed rape through comprehensive pot experiments. Assessing CAP residue variations in soil and oilseed rape (Brassia campestris L.), enzyme activities (POD, CPR, GST), and differential metabolites, we unveil significant findings. The average CAP residue levels were 18.38-13.70 mg/kg in unplanted soil, 9.94-6.30 mg/kg in planted soil, and 0-4.18 mg/kg in oilseed rape samples, respectively. Soil microbial influences and systemic pesticide translocation into oilseed rape contribute to CAP residue variations. Under the influence of CAP stress, oilseed rape displays escalated enzyme activities (POD, CPR, GST) and manifests 57 differential metabolites. Among these, 32 demonstrate considerable downregulation, mainly impacting amino acids and phenolic compounds, while 25 exhibit noteworthy overexpression, primarily affecting flavonoid compounds. This impact extends to 24 metabolic pathways, notably influencing amide biosynthesis, as well as arginine and proline metabolism. These findings underscore the discernible effects of CAP pesticide stress on oilseed rape.

Nontargeted metabolomic insights into the behavioral effects of 5-MeO-MiPT in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

5-Methoxy-N-methyl-N-isopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-MiPT) is a novel psychoactive substance exhibiting a tryptamine structure. Despite its increasing prevalence, the environmental impact of 5-MeO-MiPT remains unexplored. Our prior investigation revealed that 5-MeO-MiPT induced inhibited spontaneous movement and prompted anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish-a validated toxicological model. To elucidate this phenomenon and establish a correlation between metabolomics and behavioral changes induced by 5-MeO-MiPT, zebrafish were administered varying drug concentrations. Zebrafishes were subjected to injections of different 5-MeO-MiPT concentrations. Subsequent metabolomic analysis of endogenous metabolites affected by the drug unveiled substantial variations in metabolic levels between the control group and the drug-injected cohorts. A total of 22 distinct metabolites emerged as potential biomarkers. Further scrutiny identified seven pathways significantly influenced by 5-MeO-MiPT. A focused exploration into amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy metabolism unveiled that the metabolic repercussions of 5-MeO-MiPT on zebrafish resulted in observable brain damage. Notably, the study identified a consequential disruption in the liver-brain pathway. The comprehensive metabolomic approach employed herein effectively discerned the impact of 5-MeO-MiPT on zebrafish metabolism. This approach also shed light on the mechanism underpinning the anxiety-like behavior observed in zebrafish post-drug injection. Specifically, our findings indicate that 5-MeO-MiPT induces brain damage, particularly within the liver-brain pathway.

Water-resistant and pyknotic recyclable waste-cotton-derived bio-polyurethane-coated controlled-release fertilizer: Improved longevity, mechanism and application

Reasonably utilize the recyclable waste-cotton resource to develop the bio-polyurethane coatings had aroused more and more environmental interests recently. However, the terrible water resistance and porousness of the waste-cotton-derived bio-polyurethane coating caused the rapid nutrients release. In this work, the water-resistant and pyknotic cotton-fibre-derived coated-ureas (WPCUs) were fabricated with the recyclable low-cost waste-cotton-derived materials. The dramatically enhanced pyknotic and water-resistant characteristics of the WPCUs coatings can be obtained by the three-dimensional computerized tomography (2.33 to 1.19 %) and the water contact angle. The enhanced elasticity and the decreased water absorption were also vital to enhance the controlled-release performance. The accompanying controlled-release performance of the WPCUs was obviously improved (<2 h to 58.43 days). The modified WPCU75-10 with 4.0 % coating content exhibits the excellent controlled-release performance compared to the unmodified WPCU0-0. The controlled release mechanism can be clarified: The air column inside of the "small and few" micropores in the WPCUs coating only allow the gaseous water molecules to slowly penetrate and dissolve the inner urea cores (rather than liquid water). The obviously increased oilseed rape yield (128.75 %) showed the dependable agricultural application of the WPCUs. This work provides the resultful approach to develop the eco-friendly recyclable waste-plant-derived controlled-release fertilizers.

Exogenous tannic acid relieves imidacloprid-induced oxidative stress in tea tree by activating antioxidant responses and the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway

Pesticide stress on plants is receiving increased scrutiny due to its effect on plant secondary metabolism and nutritional quality. Tannic acid (TA) is a natural polyphenolic compound showing excellent antioxidant properties and is involved in alleviating stress. The present study thoroughly investigated the effects and mechanism of exogenous TA on relieving imidacloprid (IMI) stress in tea plants. Our research found that TA(10 mg/L) activated the antioxidant defense system, enhanced the antioxidant ability, reduced the accumulation of ROS and membrane peroxidation, and notably promoted tea plant tolerance to imidacloprid stress. Additionally, TA boosted photosynthetic capacity, strengthened the accumulation of nutrients. regulated detoxification metabolism, and accelerated the digestion and metabolism of imidacloprid in tea plants. Furthermore, TA induced significant changes in 90 important metabolites in tea, targeting 17 metabolic pathways through extensively targeted metabolomics. Specifically, TA activated the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, resulting in a 1.3- to 3.1-fold increase in the levels of 17 compounds and a 1.5- to 63.8-fold increase in the transcript level of related genes, such as ANR, LAR and CHS in this pathway. As a potential tea health activator, TA alleviates the oxidative damage caused by imidacloprid and improves the yield and quality of tea under pesticide stress.

Metabolic responses of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) to the insecticide thiamethoxam

BACKGROUND

Thiamethoxam (TMX) is insecticidal, but also can trigger physiological and metabolic reactions of plant cycles. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological and metabolic effect of TMX on tea plants and its potential benefits.

RESULTS

In this study, dose of TMX (0.09, 0.135 and 0.18 kg a.i./ha) were tested. Except for peroxidase (POD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), chlorophyll, carotenoid, catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly affected compared with the controls. The CAT activity was increased by 3.38, 1.71, 2.91 times, respectively, under three doses of TMX treatment. The metabolic response between TMX treatment and control groups on the third day was compared using a widely targeted metabolomics. A total of 97 different metabolites were identified, including benzenoids, flavonoids, lipids and lipid-like molecules, organic acids and derivatives, organic nitrogen compounds, organic oxygen compounds, organoheterocyclic compounds, phenylpropanoids and polyketides, and others. Those metabolites were mapped on the perturbed metabolic pathways. The results demonstrated that the most perturbation occurred in flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. The beneficial secondary metabolites luteolin and kaempferol were upregulated 1.46 and 1.31 times respectively, which protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. Molecular docking models suggest interactions between TMX and flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase.

CONCLUSION

Thiamethoxam spray positively promoted the physiological and metabolic response of tea plants. And this work also provided the useful information of TMX metabolism in tea plants as well as rational application of insecticides. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metabolomics-Based Mechanistic Insights into Revealing the Adverse Effects of Pesticides on Plants: An Interactive Review

In plant biology, metabolomics is often used to quantitatively assess small molecules, metabolites, and their intermediates in plants. Metabolomics has frequently been applied to detect metabolic alterations in plants exposed to various biotic and abiotic stresses, including pesticides. The widespread use of pesticides and agrochemicals in intensive crop production systems is a serious threat to the functionality and sustainability of agroecosystems. Pesticide accumulation in soil may disrupt soil-plant relationships, thereby posing a pollution risk to agricultural output. Application of metabolomic techniques in the assessment of the biological consequences of pesticides at the molecular level has emerged as a crucial technique in exposome investigations. State-of-the-art metabolomic approaches such as GC-MS, LC-MS/MS UHPLC, UPLC-IMS-QToF, GC/EI/MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and ¹H-HR-MAS NMR, etc., investigating the harmful effects of agricultural pesticides have been reviewed. This updated review seeks to outline the key uses of metabolomics related to the evaluation of the toxicological impacts of pesticides on agronomically important crops in exposome assays as well as bench-scale studies. Overall, this review describes the potential uses of metabolomics as a method for evaluating the safety of agricultural chemicals for regulatory applications. Additionally, the most recent developments in metabolomic tools applied to pesticide toxicology and also the difficulties in utilizing this approach are discussed.

Targeted and non-targeted analysis for the investigation of pesticides influence on wheat cultivated under field conditions

A comprehensive approach was applied to evaluate the effects of pesticides on the metabolism of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The application of commercially available pesticide formulations under field cultivation conditions provided a source of metabolic data unlimited by model conditions, representing a novel approach to study the effects of pesticides on edible plants. Gas and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry were employed for targeted and non-targeted analysis of wheat roots and shoots sampled six times during the six-week experiment. The applied pesticides: prothioconazole, tebuconazole, fluoxastrobin, diflufenican, florasulam, and penoxulam were found at concentrations ranging 0.0070-25.20 mg/kg and 0.0020-2.2 mg/kg in the wheat roots and shoots, respectively. The following pesticide metabolites were identified in shoots: prothioconazole-desthio (prothioconazole metabolite), 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)pentane-1,3-diol (tebuconazole metabolite), and N-(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2-yl)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzene sulphonamide (penoxulam metabolite). The metabolic fingerprints and profiles changed during the experiment, reflecting the cumulative response of wheat to both its growth environment and pesticides, as well as their metabolites. Approximately 15 days after the herbicide treatment no further changes in the plant metabolic profiles were observed, despite the presence of pesticide and their metabolites in both roots and shoots. This is the first study to combine the determination of pesticides and their metabolites plant tissues with the evaluation of plant metabolic responses under field conditions. This exhaustive approach contributes to broadening the knowledge of pesticide effects on edible plants, relevant to food safety.

Responses of differential metabolites and pathways to high temperature in cucumber anther

Cucumber is one of the most important vegetable crops, which is widely planted all over the world. Cucumber always suffers from high-temperature stress in South China in summer. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis was used to study the differential metabolites of cucumber anther between high-temperature (HT) stress and normal condition (CK). After HT, the pollen fertility was significantly reduced, and abnormal anther structures were observed by the paraffin section. In addition, the metabolomics analysis results showed that a total of 125 differential metabolites were identified after HT, consisting of 99 significantly upregulated and 26 significantly downregulated metabolites. Among these differential metabolites, a total of 26 related metabolic pathways were found, and four pathways showed significant differences, namely, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism; plant hormone signal transduction; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. In addition, pollen fertility was decreased by altering the metabolites of plant hormone signal transduction and amino acid and sugar metabolism pathway under HT. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic changes in cucumber anther under HT.

Comparative analysis of pumpkin rootstocks mediated impact on melon sensory fruit quality through integration of non-targeted metabolomics and sensory evaluation

Melon fruits are popular because of sweet taste and pleasant aroma. Grafting has been extensively used for melons to alleviate abiotic stresses and control soil borne diseases. However, use of grafting for vegetable fruit quality improvement is less studies. In modern age fruit quality particularly sensory quality characteristics have key importance from consumer eye lens. We performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and metabonomic analysis to examine sensory fruit quality of melon grafted onto ten different pumpkin rootstocks. Bases on the result of our study, 478 metabolites were detected and 184 metabolites consisting of lipids, amino acids and organic oxygen compounds were differentially expressed in grafted melon fruits. The results from metabolomic, physiochemical and sensory analysis explain the differences in melon fruit flavor from two contrasting rootstocks. In conclusion the fruits from Tianzhen No. 1 rootstock exhibited better organoleptic characteristics and higher soluble sugars content [glucose (19.87 mg/g), fructose (19.68 mg/g) and sucrose (169.45 mg/g)] compared with other rootstocks used in this study. Moreover, the contents of bitterness causing amino acids such as L-arginine, L-asparagine, Histidinyl-histidine and Acetyl-DL-valine were found lower in Tianzhen No. 1-grafted melon fruits compared with Sizhuang No. 12-grafted melon fruits. These fruit quality characteristics made Tianzhen No. 1 rootstock suitable for commercial cultivation of Yuniang melon.

Bensulfuron-Methyl, Terbutylazine, and 2,4-D Butylate Disturb Plant Growth and Resistance by Deteriorating Rhizosphere Environment and Plant Secondary Metabolism in Wheat Seedlings

Frequent and improper use of herbicides disrupts a plant's metabolism, causing oxidative stress that degrades crop quality. However, few studies have examined the inhibitory effects of herbicides on plant growth and defense mechanisms in terms of their impact on soil quality and crop rhizosphere. Therefore, the current study investigated the detrimental impacts of six typical and multilevel herbicides on the microbial community and signal molecules in the soil as well as on the levels of hormones and secondary metabolites in wheat seedlings. Interestingly, bensulfuron-methyl, terbutylazine (TBA), and 2,4-D butylate significantly induced oxidative damage while reducing the number of phytohormones (salicylic acid and jasmonic acid) and secondary metabolites (tricin, quercetin, and caffeic acid) in the roots and leaves compared with the controls, isoproturon, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, and pretilachlor. At twice the recommended levels (2×), they also decreased the microbial α diversity and, in particular, the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidia, Verrucomicrobia, Bacilli, Acidimicrobiia, Deltaproteobacteria, and Gemmatimonadetes by disrupting the level of enzymes (e.g., urease and sucrase) and metabolites (indole-3-acetic acid, salicylic acid, apigenin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, DIMBOA, and melatonin) in the rhizosphere soil. Overall, significant exposure to herbicides may inhibit wheat growth by disturbing the microbial composition in the rhizosphere soil and the distribution of secondary metabolites in wheat seedlings.

Antifungal Peptide P852 Controls Fusarium Wilt in Faba Bean (Viciafaba L.) by Promoting Antioxidant Defense and Isoquinoline Alkaloid, Betaine, and Arginine Biosyntheses

Green pesticides are highly desirable, as they are environmentally friendly and efficient. In this study, the antifungal peptide P852 was employed to suppress Fusarium wilt in the Faba bean. The disease index and a range of physiological and metabolomic analyses were performed to explore the interactions between P852 and the fungal disease. The incidence and disease index of Fusarium wilt were substantially decreased in diseased Faba beans that were treated with two different concentrations of P852 in both the climate chamber and field trial. For the first time, P852 exhibited potent antifungal effects on Fusarium in an open field condition. To explore the mechanisms that underlie P852′s antifungal effects, P852 treatment was found to significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme capacities including guaiacol peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the activities of antifungal enzymes including chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase, as well as plant dry and fresh weights, and chlorophyll content compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Metabolomics analysis of the diseased Faba bean treated with P852 showed changes in the TCA cycle, biological pathways, and many primary and secondary metabolites. The Faba bean treated with a low concentration of P852 (1 μg/mL, IC₅₀) led to upregulated arginine and isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, whereas those treated with a high concentration of P852 (10 μg/mL, MFC) exhibited enhanced betaine and arginine accumulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that P852 induces plant tolerance under Fusarium attack by enhancing the activities of antioxidant and antifungal enzymes, and restoring plant growth and development.

Uptake, translocation, and degradation of spirotetramat in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller): Impact of the mixed-application with pymetrozine

In this study, we investigated the impact of the mixed-application with pymetrozine on the behavior (i.e., uptake, translocation, and degradation) of spirotetramat in tomatoes under laboratory conditions. Results showed that pymetrozine promoted the uptake of spirotetramat from the nutrition solution after root application. The root concentration factor was 0.290 and 1.566 after spirotetramat single application and mixed-application with pymetrozine, respectively. It had little effect on the degradation of spirotetramat, with the metabolites of M-keto, M-enol, and M-glu in tomato issue (root, stems, and leaves). After foliar treatments, pymetrozine accelerated the translocation of spirotetramat from leaves to stems, with the translocation factor of 0.145 and 0.402 after spirotetramat single application and mixtures with pymetrozine, respectively. Pymetrozine also promoted the degradation of spirotetramat to M-kto and M-enol in leaves. Besides, a partition-limited model was used to describe the distribution processes of spirotetramat in the tomato-water system after root application. It showed that pymetrozine accelerated the distribution balance of spirotetramat in the whole system. Our result indicates that the interaction among pesticides should be considered when studied for the uptake, translocation, and degradation of pesticides in crops.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Cucurbitacin Biosynthesis in Luffa (Luffa acutangula)

Cucurbitacins are extremely bitter compounds mainly present in Cucurbitaceae, where Luffa belongs. However, there is no comprehensive analysis of cucurbitacin biosynthesis in Luffa fruit. Therefore, this study analyzed bitter (WM709) and non-bitter (S1174) genotypes of Luffa to reveal the underlying mechanism of cucurbitacin biosynthesis by integrating metabolome and transcriptome analyses. A total of 422 metabolites were detected, including vitamins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, and antitumor substances. Of these, 131 metabolites showed significant differences between bitter (WM709) and non-bitter (S1174) Luffa fruits. The levels of isocucurbitacin B, cucurbitacin D, 23,24-dihydro cucurbitacin E, cucurbitacin F were significantly higher in bitter than in non-bitter Luffa. Transcriptome analysis showed that Bi, cytochromes P450s (CYP450s), and acyltransferase (ACT) of the cucurbitacin biosynthesis pathway, were significantly up-regulated. Moreover, drought stress and abscisic acid (ABA) activated genes of the cucurbitacin biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, dual-luciferase reporter and yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that ABA-response element binding factor 1 (AREB1) binds to the Bi promoter to activate Bi expression. Comparative analysis of the Luffa and cucumber genomes showed that Bi, CYP450s, and ACT are located in the conserved syntenic loci, and formed a cucurbitacin biosynthesis cluster. This study provides important insights into major genes and metabolites of the cucurbitacin biosynthetic pathway, deepening the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of cucurbitacin biosynthesis in Luffa.