Proteomic and metabolomic approaches unveil relevant biochemical changes during the ripening of two blueberry varieties with different quality attributes

MONTECCHIARINI, MARINA; MARGARIT, EZQUIEL; MORALES, LUISINA; RIVADENEIRA, FERNANDA; BELLO, FERNANDO; GOLLÁN, AGUSTÍN; VÁZQUEZ, DANIEL; PODESTÁ, FLORENCIO; TRIPODI, KARINA

Córdoba

Congreso; XXXII Reunión Argentina-XVI Congreso Latinoamericano de Fisiología Vegetal; 2018

Sociedad Argentina de Fisiología Vegetal

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a profitable commercial crop that is mainly exported fresh. The understanding of biochemical aspects connected with fruit quality and firmness in particular, is crucial to improve marketable conditions. The purpose of this work is to explore proteome and metabolome changes in two highbush blueberry cultivars during development and their association with contrasting quality features. Emerald is a variety with a large, good taste and firm fruit, while O?Neal is soft, medium sized and very sweet. Proteome analysis, allowed the observation that, at fruit set, processes related with the response to inorganic compounds and small molecule metabolisms are relevant in both varieties, with enhanced organic acid metabolism in Emerald. In ripe fruit, the firmer variety showed an enrichment of proteins associated with TCA, nitrogen and small molecules metabolic processes, while thioester metabolism was enhanced in the soft variety. The observed variation in metabolite levels gave strong support to the precedent results. This study suggests that changes in some key biological processes during maturation of blueberries are behind their distinct quality. These findings may yield clues for improvements in fertilization practices, as well as to serve to the guided development of new varieties based on biochemical quality.