Metabolomic Analysis of the Metabolic Accumulation of Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, and Phenolic Acids in Differently Growing and Developing Blueberries

ABSTRACT Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins are the key substances determining the color change of blueberries, but their composition and biosynthesis mechanisms in different stages of blueberry development are not clear. Accumulation of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins in blueberry fruits (green‐G, pink‐P and blue‐B) from three growth stages was investigated by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed significant differences in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and flavonoids among fruits at three developmental stages. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) further implicated four transcription factor families (MYB, bHLH, C3H, and C2H2) in the regulation of hub genes governing color development via flavonoid/anthocyanin biosynthesis in blueberry. These transcription factors may serve as key regulators of the transcriptional network and provide a basis for further research and utilization of blueberry flavonoids and anthocyanins.