BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF TWO CITRUS RETICULATA VARIETIES: MURCOTT AND ELLENDALE

MORENO, A.S.; PEROTTI, V.E.; MARGARIT, E.; PODESTÁ, F.E.; TRÍPODI, K.E.; MONTECCHIARINI, M.L.; VAZQUEZ, D.E.

Córdoba

Congreso; 52th Annual Meeting Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 2016

Argentine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Argentina exports about 100,000 tons of tangerines (Citrus reticulata) annually. More than a third of this is constituted byMurcott and Ellendale varieties. Commercial success of thisactivity depends in the preservation of internal and externalquality.The goal of this research was to analyze thebiochemistry of these two C. reticulata varieties in order to shedlight on the molecular basis that determine internal fruit qualityduring postharvest storage. Assays were performed on theflavedo. Primary metabolites, phospholipids and secondary metabolites relative contents between both varieties were analyzed by gas or liquid chromatography followed by massspectrometry. Free amino acids were also analyzed. Principalcomponent analysis showed a clear separation of both varietiesby one principal component. Fumaric acid, octadecanoic acidand hesperidine (on the positive side), and melibiose (on thenegative side) were the main contributors for the division. Anassessment of the antioxidant capacity showed a higher level ofsuperoxide dismutase in Ellendale. In conclusion, it is possibleto define a precise metabolic profile that discriminates betweenvarieties. This information can assist future research dedicatedto the creation of new varieties with specific quality traits andexplain different postharvest behaviors.