Dynamic Characterization of Antioxidant-Related, Non-Volatile, and Volatile Metabolite Profiles of Cherry Tomato During Ripening.

ABSTRACT: Cherry tomato is a notable dietary source of metabolites associated with antioxidant functions. However, how ripening reshapes primary, specialized, and volatile metabolites remains incompletely resolved. Green-ripe and red-ripe fruits were comparatively analyzed using targeted HPLC assays for quality indices and vitamins, UPLC-MS/MS for non-volatile metabolites, and HS-SPME-GC-MS for volatiles. Ripening was accompanied by a pronounced accumulation of lycopene and an increase in soluble solids, reflecting a shift of sugars toward glucose and fructose while sucrose remained low. Organic acids declined overall, with citric acid remaining predominant. The free-amino-acid pool expanded, with redistribution from GABA toward glutamate and aspartate. Vitamins exhibited stage-dependent patterns; a

SUBMITTER: Li Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12649427 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature