Color Mutations Alter the Biochemical Composition in the San Marzano Tomato Fruit
Author(s)
Date Issued
2020
Type
article
Volume
10
Issue
3
Start Page
110
Journal
Abstract
San Marzano (SM) is a traditional Italian landrace characterized by red elongated fruits,
originating in the province of Naples (Italy) and cultivated worldwide. Three mutations, yellow
flesh (r), green flesh (gf ) and colorless fruit epidermis (y) were introduced into SM by backcross and
the resulting introgression lines (ILs) produced the expected yellow, brown and pink fruit variants.
In addition, ILs carrying double combinations of those mutations were obtained. The six ILs plus the
SM reference were analyzed for volatile (VOC), non-polar (NP) and polar (P) metabolites. Sixty-eight
VOCs were identified, and several di erences evidenced in the ILs; overall gf showed epistasis
over r and y and r over y. Analysis of the NP component identified 54 metabolites; variation in
early carotenoids (up to lycopene) and chlorophylls characterized respectively the ILs containing r
and gf. In addition, compounds belonging to the quinone and xanthophyll classes were present in
genotypes carrying the r mutation at levels higher than SM. Finally, the analysis of 129 P metabolites
evidenced di erent levels of vitamins, amino acids, lipids and phenylpropanoids in the ILs. A
correlation network approach was used to investigate metabolite–metabolite relationships in the
mutant lines. Altogether these di erences potentially modified the hedonistic and nutritional value
of the berry. In summary, single and combined mutations in gf, r and y generated interesting visual
and compositional diversity in the SM landrace, while maintaining its original typology.
Subjects