Metabolomics approach based on NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis to explore the interaction between the leafminer Tuta absoluta and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Abstract

Introduction Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is one of the most devastating and harmful pests of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crops causing up to 80–100% yield losses. A large arsenal of plant metabolites is induced by the leafminer feeding including defence compounds that could differ among varieties. Objective To compare the metabolomic changes of different genotypes of tomato (tolerant “T”, susceptible “S” and “F1” hybrid obtained between T and S) after exposition to T. absoluta. Methodology Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy followed by multivariate data analysis were performed to analyse the metabolic profiles of control and infested samples on three different tomato genotypes. Results Signals related to GABA (γ‐aminobutyric acid) were relatively much higher in all infested samples compared to the non‐infested plants used as control. Infested T genotype samples were the most abundant in organic acids, including fatty acids and acyl sugars, chlorogenic acid, neo‐chlorogenic acid and feruloyl quinic acid, indicating a clear link between the exposure to leafminer. Results also showed an increase of trigonelline in all tomato varieties after exposition to T. absoluta. Conclusion Metabolomics approach based on NMR spectroscopy followed by multivariate data analysis allowed for a detailed metabolite profile of plant defences, providing fundamental information for breeding programmes in plant crops.

You Are What You Eat: Application of Metabolomics Approaches to Advance Nutrition Research

“…De Falco et al [133] analyzed the changes in metabolites of three different tomato genotypes (tolerant "T", susceptible "S", and "F1" hybrid obtained between T and S) after exposure to Tuta absoluta using 1 H-NMR. T. absoluta "tomato leafminer, tomato moth" is considered to be one of the most harmful tomato crop pests causing yield loss.…”

“…They also showed that trigonelline increased in all tomato varieties after exposure to T. absoluta. The authors concluded that metabolomics analysis may provide fundamental insights for better understanding of the tomato-pest interactions and for enhancing tomato breeding in agriculture [133].…”

Tomato Endurance to Tuta Absoluta Is Mediated by Reinforcement of Leaf Barriers and Induction of Chemical Reaction 

“…T. absoluta feeding could increase the production of some monoterpenes and other minor products in the T genotype [70] thanks to the activation of terpene synthases including the trichome-localized TPS5/MTS1, that preferentially produces linalool [71], TPS21 that, together with CYP71BN1, leads to the formation of lycosantanolol [72], and with CPT1/NDPS1 is involved in phellandrene synthesis [73]. By contrast, the up-regulation of TPS46/GLS in S lead to the production of the diterpene geranyllinalool [74].…”

NMR Metabolomics Applied on the Discrimination of Variables Influencing Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

“…With respect to plant-mediated responses to biotic stresses, 1 H NMR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics tools have been applied by several authors to analyze the metabolites involved in the tomato plant defense against nematodes [ 92 ], tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) [ 93 ], thrips [ 94 ], leafminer ( Tuta absoluta ) [ 95 ], and Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) [ 96 ]. Afifah et al [ 92 ] reported that glucose and caffeic acid, which is one of the phenolic compounds claimed to have a negative effect on nematodes, significantly increased in resistant tomatoes.…”

“…Mirnezhad et al [ 94 ] found that only wild tomatoes were thrips-resistant, and that thrips-resistant tomatoes contained acylsugars, which are known for their negative effect on herbivores. de Falco et al [ 95 ] found that GABA was relatively much higher in all infested samples of three different tomato genotypes compared to the non-infested plants, and that infested genotype samples were rich in organic acids, including fatty acids and acyl sugars, chlorogenic acid, neo-chlorogenic acid and feruloyl quinic acid [ 95 ]. Lopez-Gresa et al [ 96 ] observed that glycosylated phenolic compounds, including gentisic ( 4 ) and ferulic acid ( 5 ) ( Scheme 1 ), accumulated in CEVd-infected tomato plants, together with some amino acids (phenylalanine, tyrosine, aspartate, glutamate, and asparagine).…”