Characterization of the main lipid components of chloroplast membranes and cold induced changes in Coffea spp.

Low temperatures affect many plant physiological and biochemical components, amongst them the lipid phase of membranes. The present work aimed to characterize the lipid composition of chloroplast membranes of three Coffea genotypes, representing three agronomic valuable species (Coffea arabica cv. Icatu, Coffea canephora cv. Conilon clone 02 and Coffea dewevrei), under adequate environmental conditions and to relate its cold tolerance ability to the adjustments triggered during a gradual temperature decrease, after chilling exposure and upon a recovery period. Under adequate temperature (25/20 °C, day/night) the lipid composition of chloroplast membranes was fairly similar amongst the genotypes concerning the total fatty acid (TFA) content and individual FAs (both globally or within the classes), suggesting a close lipid composition amongst Coffea species, which can be considered as “C18:3” plants. Under cold exposure and subsequent recovery the genotypes undergo adjustments, some of them with acclimation potential. The genotypes displayed some ability to increase lipid synthesis, increasing their FA content. However, under cold exposure (even at 4 °C), Icatu and C. dewevrei plants performed qualitative adjustments, including preferential synthesis of phospholipids (especially PG) instead of galactolipids and increases in the unsaturation degree of DGDG and phospholipid classes (PG, PC and PI). Clone 02 maintained almost all lipid characteristics, what explains its higher cold sensitivity. Furthermore, differences that contribute to explain contrasting cold sensitivity in Icatu (more tolerant) and C. dewevrei emerged when analyzing PA content (taken as a stress metabolite) and the FA composition within MGDG and PG classes. C. dewevrei presented the higher increase, absolute value and relative weight of PA, while Icatu was the solely genotype to show a rise in the unsaturation degree of MGDG and PG, displaying as well the highest DBI values for these classes. We conclude that lipid qualitative and quantitative adjustments constitute a flexible mechanism that decisively contributes to cold acclimation in Coffea spp., working in tandem with others that minimize oxidative stress damages.

► We characterized the main lipid components of chloroplast membranes in three Coffea species.
► We study the effect of lipid dynamics of chloroplast membranes in cold stress acclimation.
► Cold acclimation includes de novo lipid synthesis and global unsaturation of lipid classes.
► Cold acclimation also includes reinforcement of phospholipids over galactolipids.
► Key features are related to the fatty acid composition and unsaturation degree of PG and MGDG classes.