Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals the biosynthesis mechanism of dihydrochalcones in sweet tea (<i>Lithocarpus litseifolius</i>).

ABSTRACT: The demand for plant-based, low-calorie natural sweeteners is increasing. Four dihydrochalcones (DHCs), namely phloretin, phlorizin, trilobatin, and sieboldin, have been identified in the leaves of Lithocarpus litseifolius. These compounds serve as natural flavor sweeteners with potential health-promoting effects. However, the biosynthetic pathways of these DHCs are not yet fully understood. In this study, the content of four DHCs was quantified using LC-MS/MS across five developmental stages (S1-S5) of L. litseifolius leaves. Our results revealed an accumulation pattern where DHC levels peaked at stage S3, followed by a sharp decrease at stages S4 and S5, with the exception of sieboldin, which maintained high levels. We elucidated the complete biosynthetic pathway of DHCs, i

SUBMITTER: Ling S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358465 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature