AUTHOR=Rao Muhammad Junaid , Wang Huaizheng , Lei Huaming , Zhang Hongcha , Duan Xiande , Bao Liuyuan , Yang Chengcui , Han Duo , Zhang Yongzhi , Yang Shunqiang , Duan Mingzheng 

TITLE=LC-MS/MS-based metabolomic study provides insights into altitude-dependent variations in flavonoid profiles of strawberries

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1527212

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1527212

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Environmental conditions significantly influence the metabolic composition and quality attributes of fruits. This study investigated the impact of altitude-associated environmental variation on flavonoid profiles and fruit quality parameters by comparing the “Red Face” strawberry variety grown in two distinct locations: high-altitude-associated environmental conditions in Zhaotong and low-altitude conditions in Dandong. Using LC-MS/MS analysis, we identified 163 bioactive flavonoids, comprising 85 flavonols, 37 flavanones, 33 flavones, and 8 flavanonols. The high-altitude environment of Zhaotong significantly enhanced specific flavonoid compounds, with notable increases in neohesperidin (20.4-fold), tamarixetin-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside (17.7-fold), isovitexin (9.1-fold), and hesperidin (8.5-fold) compared to Dandong-grown fruits. Conversely, Dandong-grown fruits showed higher levels of chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside (53.9-fold), 6-hydroxykaempferol-6,7-O-diglucoside (36.3-fold), and eucalyptin (9.7-fold). The tricetin 3’-glucuronide (24.49% vs 15.31%) and quercetin-4’-O-glucuronide (24.15% vs 15.59%), are the major flavonoids identified in Zhaotong strawberries than Dandong-grown fruits. Furthermore, strawberries cultivated in Zhaotong demonstrated superior antioxidant activities and capacity, increased quality parameters, including higher sugar content (15.30°Brix vs 10.96°Brix), increased ascorbic acid (15.73 mg/g vs 8.53 mg/g), and optimal firmness (20.51 N vs 23.16 N) than Dandong strawberries. These findings suggest that high-altitude cultivation conditions positively influence strawberry fruit characteristics, enhancing both bioactive compound profiles and overall fruit quality. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing strawberry cultivation conditions to maximize nutritional and commercial value.