Metabolomic profiling reveals that natural biodiversity surrounding a banana crop may positively influence the nutritional/sensorial profile of ripe fruits

Author(s)

Nascimento, Talita P. ; Castro-Alves, Victor C. ; Castelan, Florence P. ; Calhau, Maria Fernanda N. S. ; Saraiva, Lorenzo A. ; Agopian, Roberta G. ; Cordenunsi-Lysenko, Beatriz Rosana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food Research International; v. 124, p. 10-pg., 2019-10-01.

Abstract

This study is part of an extensive project that evaluated the effects of a natural ecosystem on a healthy banana crop and the quality of its fruit. In particular, the study examined the influence of the maintenance of natural biodiversity (Atlantic forest) near a conventional banana crop on the metabolic profiling of ripe banana fruits. Results revealed differences between ripe fruits harvested from plants near the natural forest (Near-NF) and fruits harvested in areas distant from the natural forest (Distant-NF). A total of 76 metabolites were identified in ripe banana fruits. Bananas harvested from Near-NF plot showed increased levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid and reduced levels of putrescine compared with fruits from Distant-NF plot. Furthermore, fatty acids profile suggests that ripe fruits harvested from Near-NF plot had increased nutritional quality compared with fruits from Distant-NF plot. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that these metabolites, which potentially influence the nutritional/sensorial quality of ripe fruits, also contributed to distinguishing fruits harvested from Near-NF and Distant-NF plots. Collectively, the results suggest that the natural biodiversity surrounding a crop area could benefit ripe banana nutritional/sensorial quality. The maintenance of natural forest fragments thus appears to be a promising tool for increasing the quality of fruit crops. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC