Metabolomic profiling of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Cultivated in Shonai, Yamagata prefecture and development of effective utilization of residues from fruit processing

Abstract

In this study, mainly capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry based non-targeted metabolome analysis was conducted. Metabolomic profiles were determined for the peel, flesh, and core of the main melon fruit cultivars (cv Andes, cv Grace, and cv Quincy) grown in greenhouses and open fields in the Shonai area of Yamagata Prefecture. As a result, many metabolite concentrations showed high values in the fruit cores. Several amino acids such as GABA and alanine had especially high values, and physiologically active ingredients such as choline, trigonelline, and pyroglutamic acid were also significantly high. In addition, when metabolomic profiles of melon fruits grown in open fields and in greenhouses were compared, those amino acid concentrations tended to be higher in the flesh and cores in the open field cultivation. On the other hand, the core extracts of melon fruits were developed by effectively utilizing fruit processing residues that were discarded in abundance. They showed conspicuously higher concentrations of all amino acids and physiologically active ingredients such as GABA. This approach could be used to design new fruit products through objective evaluation of metabolomics.