Insect infestation triggers metabolic shifts in pecans: implications for nutritional quality

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a widely consumed edible nut, recognized for its nutritional and functional benefits. Insect infestation often results in subtle damage, limited to the fruit peel, leaving kernels visually unaffected; however, the associated metabolic alterations remain largely unexplored. This study applied a widely targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics approach to elucidate the metabolic changes in pecan kernels induced by insect infestation.

A total of 1614 metabolites were identified, of which 129 showed significant alterations following insect stress. Both primary metabolites - including organic acids, amino acids, and lipids - and health-promoting secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids were substantially affected. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated significant disruptions in carbon metabolism, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and phenolic biosynthesis. A metabolic network was constructed to depict the biochemical responses of pecans to insect infestation.

This study demonstrates that insect infestation significantly alters the metabolic profile of pecans as an edible nut, which may affect their nutritional and functional qualities. These findings provide valuable insights to advance pest management and enhance pecan quality. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.