High-throughput NMR based metabolic profiling of Braeburn apple in relation to internal browning

NMR is a valuable tool for metabolomics due to its short analysis time and reproducibility. However, this technique remains little used due to its high cost. Recently, cheaper NMR machines for high-throughput screening have been developed. In this study, NMR was used to study the effect of several pre- and postharvest factors on apple metabolite levels during air and controlled atmosphere storage, including metabolic changes related to the incidence of internal browning. The results show that the selected fertilizer treatments and fruit side (green versus red side) did not affect the metabolite levels. However, the different postharvest storage conditions (optimal CA and brown inducing CA) did result in significant changes in metabolite levels. In addition, differences (e.g., pyruvate, citrate, fumarate, alanine, chlorogenate, methanol, ethanol, acetaldehyde and acetoine) between brown and unaffected apples stored under the applied CA conditions could be demonstrated.

► NMR was used for high-throughput metabolic profiling of apples.
► Significant effects of postharvest conditions on apple metabolite levels were found.
► A clear demonstration was made of metabolic changes related to browning disorders.