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

• This study is part of an extensive project that evaluated the effects of a natural ecosystem on a healthy bananacrop and the quality of its fruit. In particular, the study examined the influence of the maintenance of naturalbiodiversity (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) andfruits harvested in areas distant from the natural forest (Distant-NF). A total of 76 metabolites were identified inripe banana fruits. Bananas harvested from Near-NF plot showed increased levels ofγ-aminobutyric acid andreduced levels of putrescine compared with fruits from Distant-NF plot. Furthermore, fatty acids profile suggeststhat 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 nu-tritional/sensorial quality of ripe fruits, also contributed to distinguishing fruits harvested from Near-NF andDistant-NF plots. Collectively, the results suggest that the natural biodiversity surrounding a crop area couldbenefit ripe banana nutritional/sensorial quality. The maintenance of natural forest fragments thus appears to bea promising tool for increasing the quality of fruit crops.

Ämnesord

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Livsmedelsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Food Science (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Musa acuminata

Biodiversity

Fruit ripening

Fruit quality

Metabolite profiling

GC–MS

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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