Metabolomic study of volatile compounds in the pigmented fruit from Mexico Crataegus genotypes

Crataegus is distributed worldwide and presents a phenotypic diversity in size, shape, color and aroma of the fruit. The objective of this study was to identify genotypes of Crataegus with a similar profile of volatile compounds by means of a metabolomic study. In addition, the content of pigment was evaluated to contribute to the agronomic, medicinal and chemotaxonomic value. Color determination, total carotenoids (TC) and total anthocyanins (TA) were determined in the exocarp and mesocarp of fresh fruits by means of spectrophotometry. The volatile compounds were determined by Low Temperature Plasma coupled to Mass Spectrometry (LTP-MS). A total of 75 volatile compounds were detected, according to abundance and mass-to-charge ratio, which by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and selection of variables; genotypes were grouped according to size and origin. The pigment content was related to the physical color of the fruit. The highest concentration of carotenoids was 42.35 μg·g-1 FW. in the genotype PO5, and 992.34 μg·g-1 FW for anthocyanins in the genotype CH18, concentrations of both compounds found in the exocarp of the fruit.