Comparative analysis of metabolome and transcriptome in the fruits and leaves of Elaeocarpus braceanus

The utilization of Elaeocarpus braceanus fruits and leaves as medicinal and dietary resources by ethnic minorities in southwestern China has been well-documented throughout history. However, due to the lack of understanding regarding the specific chemical constituents and synthetic processes involved, comprehensive metabolome and transcriptomic assays were conducted on the fruits and leaves. The findings revealed the presence of 749 compounds in these plant parts, with 424 metabolites displaying differential accumulation between fruits and leaves. Among these, 316 metabolites were up-regulated while 108 were down-regulated. A total of 100 phenolic acids and 104 flavonoids exhibited distinct accumulation patterns in fruits and leaves, respectively. Subsequent KEGG enrichment analysis revealed alterations in 77 pathways, with significant differential expression observed in genes associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and flavonol biosynthesis pathways between fruits and leaves. These findings contribute to our comprehension of metabolite accumulation and offer valuable insights for investigating the food and medicinal properties of E. braceanus.