Metabolite analysis of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) branches in response to freezing stress

Cold resistance in fruit trees has a direct impact on food production and scientific studies. 'Donghe No.1' is an excellent cold-tolerant peach variety. Metabolomic changes under freezing stress were examined to understand the mechanisms of cold adaptation. The UPLC-MS/MS system was used to identify differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in branches of 'Donghe No.1' under freezing stress for 12 h at -5°C, -20°C, -25°C, or -30°C. In total, 1096 metabolites and 196 DEMs were obtained at -5°C vs -20°C, -25°C, and - 30°C, while 179 DEMs and eight shared DEMs obtained at -5°C vs -20°C, -20°C vs -25°C, and -25°C vs -30°C. KEGG enrichment identified 196 DEMs associated with amino acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis under freezing stress. A metabolic network in 1-year-old peach branches under freezing stress is proposed. Moreover, these results enhance understanding of metabolite responses and mechanisms to freezing stress in peach and will help in future breeding of freezing-tolerant varieties and investigating tolerance mechanisms.