Boutchouang RP, Fliniaux O, Eyamo JVE, Djabou ASM, Fontaine JX, Molinié R, Mesnard F, Niemenak N. Metabolome profiling of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) callus under drought stress conditions induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) as osmoticant.
Phytochem Anal 2024. [PMID:
38246169 DOI:
10.1002/pca.3323]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), a perennial crop that serves as a source of cacao beans, can suffer from drastic climate changes such as irregular rainfall and shorter rainy seasons. The search for hybrids which are capable of producing specific metabolites favoring adaptation in new climatic conditions is a challenge in cacao farming.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to (1) analyze the metabolic changes in calli of three cacao genotypes during water deficit induced by incubation with polyethylene glycol and (2) assess their response to water deficit stress with regard to somatic embryo differentiation.
METHODS
Metabolic profiling was carried out using 1 H-NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis was applied to crude extracts of calli grown in non-stress or water deficit stress conditions.
RESULTS
Water deficit stress influences the capacity of calli to produce embryos. The SCA12 genotype exhibited the best conversion capacity under severe conditions and was considered as tolerant to drought, followed by the SCA6 genotype (mid-tolerant) and the MA12 genotype (sensitive). Fifty-four metabolites were identified in the three cacao genotypes and discriminant metabolites were identified. Metabolites involved in water stress tolerance such as fructose, trans-aconitic acid, leucine, and hydroxybenzene derivatives were observed in SCA12, the tolerant genotype.
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate the utility of 1 H-NMR metabolomics as an essential tool for the analysis of the drought tolerance characteristics of T. cacao.
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