Targeted metabolomics reveals key phenolic changes in pecan nut quality deterioration under different storage conditions

Pecan nuts are highly enriched in phenolic compounds, which contribute to the health benefits of pecans. Phenolic compounds represent the main oxidation reaction substrates, thus leading to quality deterioration, namely pellicle browning or a decrease in beneficial effects during pecan storage. Hence, four different storage conditions were performed for 180 d to simulate real production situations. Targeted metabolomics was chosen to identify the specific phenolic compounds involved in quality deterioration under different storage conditions in 0, 90, and 180 d samples. A total of 118 phenolic compounds were detected, nine of which were identified for the first time in pecan. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities initially demonstrated high scores, after which they tended to decrease during the storage process. The significantly modified phenolic compounds during storage were selected as the metabolite markers of pecan quality deterioration, including catechin, procyanidin (PA) trimer, PA tetramer, trigalloyl hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP) glucose, and tetra-galloyl hexoside. Fresh pecan kernels resulted in more pronounced changes in hydrolysable tannins (HTs), whereas dry kernels resulted in the most accentuated changes in condensed tannins (CTs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to study individual phenolic changes during storage of pecan in such massive amounts. The results can offer a valuable theoretical basis for future control of pecan quality deterioration through phenolics during storage.