Profiling of Primary Metabolites and Volatiles in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Seed Kernels and Fruits in the Context of Its Different Cultivars and Soil Type as Analyzed Using Chemometric Tools

The goal of this study was to assess nutrient primary metabolites and aroma determinants in Prunus armeniaca L. fruits and seed kernels grown in Egypt represented by its different cultivars and agricultural conditions i.e., two different soil types (muddy versus sandy). Two techniques were employed to assess non-volatile and volatile metabolites using gas chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) post silylation, and headspace solid-phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) coupled GC-MS, respectively. A total of 36 peaks belonging to sugars, fatty acids/esters and organic acids were identified by GC-MS in various apricot fruits and seed kernels cultivars. Glucose and sucrose were enriched in apricot fruits compared to the seed kernels. A total of 70 volatiles were identified, with lactones, alcohols and esters representing the main classes of apricot volatiles accounting for its discrete aroma. (E)-Anethole, beta-ionone, gamma-decanolactone and methyl palmitate were the major peaks contributing to the discrimination between various fruit cultivars and providing novel insight on apricot metabolome.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient primary metabolites and aroma determinants in Prunus armeniaca L. fruits and seed kernels grown in Egypt under different cultivars and agricultural conditions. Two techniques were used to evaluate non-volatile and volatile metabolites. The study identified various peaks belonging to sugars, fatty acids/esters, and organic acids in apricot fruits and seed kernels. Glucose and sucrose were found to be enriched in apricot fruits, while lactones, alcohols, and esters were identified as the main volatile classes. The major peaks contributing to the discrimination between fruit cultivars were (E)-Anethole, beta-ionone, gamma-decanolactone, and methyl palmitate, providing novel insights into the apricot metabolome.