Metabolite profiling and hormone analysis of the synchronized exocarp-mesocarp development during ripening of cv. ‘Fuerte’ and ‘Hass’ avocado fruits

Color development in avocado fruits is a complex mechanism influenced by several factors. To understand this process, a comparative analysis was conducted between fruits of 'Fuerte' and 'Hass' avocado cultivars using metabolomic approaches. Pigment content in the exocarp differs between cultivars, accumulating anthocyanins in 'Hass' avocado. Carbohydrate abundance differed at ready-to-eat stage showing that 'Hass' accumulated higher amounts of sucrose, mannoheptulose, and perseitol than ‘Fuerte’ in both tissues. Higher amounts of fatty acids were observed in both tissues of 'Fuerte'. Polar metabolites indicated differences in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms between cultivars. Hormone analysis suggested that abscisic acid is involved in pigment biosynthesis. These findings showed that hormone and primary metabolites cross-talk plays an important role in color development in the exocarp and in the softening in the mesocarp of ‘Hass', opening new perspectives about this metabolic interplay and its relation to the development of the exocarp-mesocarp synchronization during ripening. [Display omitted] •'Hass' avocados accumulated higher amounts of sucrose, mannoheptulose, and perseitol in both tissues.•'Fuerte' avocados accumulated stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid in the exocarp.•Cultivars presented differences in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolisms.•'Hass' avocado exocarp showed higher abscisic acid and salicylic acid content.•Cytokinins, trans-zeatin and dihydrozeatin were found accumulated in 'Fuerte' skins.