Differential Metabolic Responses Caused by the Most Important Insect Pest of Coffee Worldwide, the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei)

Abstract

The world’s coffee supply is threatened by the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, the most destructive pest affecting coffee production and quality. This study hypothesized that coffee berry borer infestation induces distinct metabolic responses in the green coffee seeds of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (robusta). A targeted metabolomics approach was conducted using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify intracellular metabolites in infested and uninfested arabica and robusta green seeds. In parallel, the seed biomass content and composition were assessed for the same conditions. Coffee berry borer attack induced increases in the levels of chlorogenic acids in arabica seeds, whereas organic acids and sugar alcohols were more abundant in infested robusta seeds. Most importantly, a set of compounds was identified as biomarkers differentiating the metabolic response of these taxa to the coffee berry borer.

Egg-Associated Germs Induce Salicylate Defenses but Not Render Plant Against a Global Invasive Fruit Fly Effectively

“…Plants have different constitutive and inducible defense strategies to combat the colonization of microbial pathogens and the attack of herbivorous insects . In addition to the defense pathways regulated by classic stress hormones, increasing evidence has shown in recent years that the primary metabolic pathways of plants are also common strategies by which plants resist biological stress. , Changes in the level of primary metabolism related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism will eventually lead to the redistribution of a large amount of energy in the host plant and the production of secondary metabolites, thereby enhancing the host plant’s defense capabilities. Glutamate plays a central role in plant amino acid metabolism .…”