Mapping taste and flavour traits to genetic markers in lettuce Lactuca sativa

Chadwick, M., Swann, J. R., Gawthrop, F., Michelmore, R., Scaglione, D., Truco, M.-J. and Wagstaff, C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9400-8641 (2024) Mapping taste and flavour traits to genetic markers in lettuce Lactuca sativa. Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 9. 100215. ISSN 2666-5662 doi: 10.1016/j.fochms.2024.100215

Abstract/Summary

Lettuce is the most highly consumed raw leafy vegetable crop eaten worldwide, making it nutritionally important in spite of its comparatively low nutrient density in relation to other vegetables. However, the perception of bitterness caused by high levels of sesquiterpenoid lactones and comparatively low levels of sweet tasting sugars limits palatability. To assess variation in nutritional and taste-related metabolites we assessed 104 members of a Lactuca sativa cv. Salinas x L. serriola (accession UC96US23) mapping population. Plants were grown in three distinct environments, and untargeted NMR and HPLC were used as a rapid chemotyping method, from which 63 unique Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) were identified. We were able to identify putative regulatory candidate genes underlying the QTL for fructose on linkage group 9, which accounted for up to 36 % of our population variation, and which was stable across all three growing environments; and for 15-p-hydroxyyphenylacetyllactucin-8-sulfate on linkage group 5 which has previously been identified for its low bitterness, while retaining anti-herbivory field effects. We also identified a candidate gene for flavonoid 3′,5′- hydroxylase underlying a polyphenol QTL on linkage group 5, and two further candidate genes in sugar biosynthesis on linkage groups 2 and 5. Collectively these candidate genes and their associated markers can inform a route for plant breeders to improve the palatability and nutritional value of lettuce in their breeding programmes.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/117914
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.fochms.2024.100215
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Human Nutrition Research Group
Publisher	Elsevier
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