Comparative metabolomic analysis reveals key metabolites associated with blackheart development in pineapple

Pineapple, a vital tropical fruit worldwide, faces economic losses due to blackheart disorder, a complex physiological disorder influenced by various factors, including abrupt temperature changes. This study employed Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) to investigate the metabolic alterations in pineapple fruits Ananas comosus L. Merr. cv. 'Comte de Paris' associated with different stages of blackheart disorder. A total of 268 metabolites were detected in pineapple pulp at varying blackheart disorder stages according to the metabolomic profiling. Twelve differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) (Cyclic AMP, Senecionine, 3′-AMP, Cyclic GMP, 3′-GMP, beta-Alanyl-L-arginine, gamma-Glutamylalanine, beta-Alanyl-L-lysine, GMP, R-b-aminoisobutyric acid, L-Homophenylalanine, L-Arginine) were significantly enriched in healthy pineapple fruit tissues, with their levels negatively correlated with the severity of internal blackheart disorder in pineapples. Additionally, four potential biomarkers such as pipecolic acid, chlorogenic acid, phenylethylamine, and stachyose were identified, due to their significantly enriched in the internal blackheart disorder pineapple tissues, with their levels positively correlated with the blackheart severity rate. This study provides valuable insights into the metabolic pathways involved in pineapple blackheart disorder. The identified metabolites offer potential biomarkers for understanding physiological disorder progression, laying the groundwork for future studies focused on the prevention and control of pineapple blackheart disorder, ultimately safeguarding the economic value of this tropical fruit.