Multiple metabolomics comparatively investigated the pulp breakdown of four dragon fruit cultivars during postharvest storage.

Pulp breakdown is the main reason for the reduction of fruit quality. However, there are relatively few studies on small molecule metabolites based on the pulp breakdown of dragon fruit. In this study, four dragon fruit cultivars were comparatively analyzed during pulp breakdown. According to five firmness-related and six quality-related indicators, the pulp breakdown rates from low to high were 'Baiyulong (WP, with white pulp)', 'Dahong (RP, with red pulp)', 'Hongshuijing (CRP, with red pulp)' and 'Baishuijing (CWP, with white pulp)'. Five secondary metabolites showed cultivar-specific accumulation, and the increase of their contents during postharvest storage might be related to delaying pulp breakdown. After multiple metabolomics analysis, a total of 186 metabolites were identified, among which 14 primary metabolites, 23 volatiles, 2 hydrolyzed amino acids and 12 free amino acids were considered as key metabolites. The contents of hydrocarbons in WP and RP were much higher than that in CWP and CRP, which was negatively correlated with pulp breakdown. White pulp were rich in amino acids, while red pulp had more soluble sugars, aldehydes and terpenes. The contents of 13 key metabolites increased during pulp breakdown in all four cultivars, mainly including amino acids and alkanes. The contents and changes of those key metabolites might directly or indirectly respond to the pulp quality and resistance of dragon fruit.