Dynamic variation of the phytochemical and volatile compounds in the pericarp of Citrus reticulata ‘‘Chachi’’ (Rutaceae) during 2 years of storage

• Published in: Journal of food science 2022-01, Vol.87 (1), p.153-164
• Main Authors: Chao, Yingxin, Tan, E‐yu, Ma, Shaofeng, Chen, Baizhong, Liu, Mengshi, Wang, Kanghui, Yang, Wanling, Wei, Minyan, Zheng, Guodong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Alkenes; Citrus; Citrus reticulata; Essential oils; Esters; Ferulic acid; Flavonoids; Fruits; Hesperidin; Multivariate statistical analysis; Odors; Oils, Volatile; Pericarp; Phenolic acids; Phenols; phytochemical compounds; Phytochemicals; Rutaceae; Statistical analysis; Storage; Tangeretin; the pericarp of Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’ (CRCP); Volatile compounds; Volatiles
• ISSN: 0022-1147; 1750-3841
• DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16013

The pericarp of Citrus reticulata "Chachi" (CRCP) is used as nutritional food and traditional medicine in China, usually harvested at three periods, namely, immature (CRCP‐G1), semi‐mature (CRCP‐G2), and fully mature (CRCP‐G3). Traditionally, if the CRCP is stored for a longer period, then the quality will be better. In this study, the dynamic variation of phytochemical and volatile compounds was profiled in the same batches of CRCP during 2 years of storage. Results illustrated that most of the phytochemical compounds showed a decreasing trend during storage, that is, total flavonoids, total phenolic acids, hesperidin, 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′‐heptamethoxyflavone, 5‐hydroxy‐6,7,8,3′,4′‐pentamethoxyflavone, synephrine, and limonin. The ferulic acid increased significantly, whereas no significant changes were observed in the total polymethoxyflavones, nobiletin, and tangeretin after 2 years of storage. In addition, we found that the extraction yield of volatile oil decreased significantly in CRCP‐G1 during storage, and the herb odors were enhanced with the increase of phenols and esters. No significant difference in the extraction yield of volatile oil of CRCP‐G2 and CRCP‐G3 was found after 2 years of storage, but the citrus‐like notes were increased with the promoted generation of alkenes. In particular, the multivariate statistical analysis indicated that 7 volatiles showed a higher level after 1 year of storage, whereas 11 volatiles decreased and 4 volatiles increased after 2 years of storage, respectively. This study could show the early aging mechanism of CRCP harvested at different periods and provide a scientific guidance in the storage of CRCP. Practical Application This study indicated a comprehensive method for rapid analysis of phytochemical and volatile compounds in pericarp of Citrus reticulata ‘‘Chachi’’ (Rutaceae) (CRCP) harvested at different periods during 2 years of storage. The results obtained from this study would be valuable for revealing the early aging mechanism and sustainable storage of CRCP.