Integrated multi-omics to analyze the generation mechanism of volatile substances in refrigerated tilapia fillets

This study employed a non-targeted metabolomics to reveal the impact of refrigerated storage on tilapia fillets, and integrated DIA-based proteomics to investigate formation mechanisms of key volatile substances. A potential pathway map of key volatile substances generation was constructed. The results showed that, in tilapia fillets (d0 vs d1, d0 vs d3, d0 vs d5, and d0 vs d7), 5, 13, 25, and 36 metabolites were upregulated, whereas 23, 31, 41, and 38 metabolites were downregulated, respectively. These differential metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid, nucleotide, and lipid metabolism. Integrated analysis revealed that differential metabolites such as adenosine and histidine, in conjunction with enzymes including adenylate kinase and choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase, significantly influenced the formation of key volatile substances through seven metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and purine metabolism. These findings provide molecular-level insights and a theoretical basis for flavor regulation of aquatic products during refrigerated storage.