Combined Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolome Explains the Differences in Pulp Color in Jackfruit

The pulp color of jackfruit reflects variations in its nutritional composition and influences market preference. We investigated the mechanism underlying pulp coloration through an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of three jackfruit cultivars-light yellow "THA", yellow "GTM", and orange "YNH". Twenty-five differentially accumulated flavonoids and 32 differentially accumulated carotenoids were identified. Naringenin chalcone, eriodictyol, taxifolin, zeaxanthin, and lutein were identified as the key flavonoids and carotenoids associated with the light-yellow tone of THA pulp. Phlorizin and lutein were associated with the yellow tone of GTM pulp, whereas apigenin, luteolin, zeaxanthin, and violaxanthin dipalmitate were the key pigments regulating the orange tone of YNH pulp. Differentially expressed genes involved in flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthesis included PAL, C4H, 4CL, F3H, FLS, ANS, ANR, PSY, PDS, ZDS, LCYE, LUT5, ZEP, and VDE. This study provides a foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying jackfruit pulp coloration at transcriptional and metabolic levels.