Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveal that Diarylheptanoids Vary in Amomum tsao-ko Fruit Development

Amomum tsao-ko is an important spice and medicinal plant that has received extensive attention in recent years for its high content of bioactive constituents with the potential for food additives and drug development. Diarylheptanoids are major and characteristic compounds in A. tsao-ko; however, the biochemical and molecular foundation of diarylheptanoids in fruit is unknown. We performed comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics studies in the ripening stages of A. tsao-ko fruit. The chemical constituents of fruit vary in different harvest periods, and the diarylheptanoids have a trend to decrease or increase with fruit development. GO enrichment analysis revealed that plant hormone signaling pathways including the ethylene-activated signaling pathway, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and response to hydrogen peroxide were associated with fruit ripening. The biosynthetic pathways including phenylpropanoid, flavonoids, and diarylheptanoids biosynthesis were displayed in high enrichment levels in ripening fruit. The molecular networking and phytochemistry investigation of A. tsao-ko fruit has isolated and identified 10 diarylheptanoids including three new compounds. The candidate genes related to diarylheptanoids were obtained by coexpression network analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Two key genes have been verified to biosynthesize linear diarylheptanoids. This integrative approach provides gene regulation and networking associated with the biosynthesis of characteristic diarylheptanoids, which can be used to improve the quality of A. tsao-ko as food and medicine.

Automated summary

Amomum tsao-ko is a valuable plant with high potential in food additives and drug development due to its rich bioactive constituents. Through metabolomics and transcriptomics research, it was found that the chemical composition of A. tsao-ko fruit varies in different stages of ripening, with a trend of decrease or increase in diarylheptanoids during fruit development. Several plant hormone signaling pathways and biosynthetic pathways were found to be associated with fruit ripening, and 10 diarylheptanoids, including three new compounds, were isolated and identified. Candidate genes related to diarylheptanoids biosynthesis were obtained through coexpression network analysis and phylogenetic analysis, and two key genes were verified. This integrative approach provides valuable insights into the gene regulation and networking associated with the biosynthesis of characteristic diarylheptanoids in A. tsao-ko, which can contribute to improving its quality as food and medicine.