Chemo-Diversity Landscape Using Physico-Biochemical, Elemental, and Metabolic Profiling in Different Stages and Accessions of Madhuca longifolia Flowers for Unveiling Their Processing Value and Utilization
Abstract
Variations in sweetness and bitterness among Madhuca longifolia flowers strongly influence their processing value and market acceptance, yet the chemo-diversity underlying these traits remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to unravel accession- and stage-specific differences by integrating physico-biochemical, elemental, and metabolic profiling across thirteen accessions (BM-1 to BM-13) from BUAT, Banda. Sensory and textural evaluations revealed wide diversity, with BM-5 displaying superior sweetness and aroma, whereas BM-6, BM-7, and BM-10 were differentiated by firmness, elasticity, and gumminess. Biochemical analyses across flower development showed that BM-5 consistently maintained higher sugars and β-carotene, while BM-1 exhibited marked reductions in sugars and total phenolics content; meanwhile, antioxidant activity increased with maturity, with BM-5 remaining the most stable. ICP-MS elemental analysis confirmed BM-5 as mineral-rich compared with lower-performing accessions. GC-MS metabolomic profiling of contrasting accessions (BM-1 and BM-5) across stages identified 303 volatile and semi-volatile metabolites, and multivariate analyses (PCA, VIP, volcano plots, pathway enrichment) revealed distinct stage- and accession-dependent patterns. Mature BM-5 was enriched in fermentation- and aroma-related metabolites such as melibiose, furfural, 5-HMF, and furaneol, whereas BM-1 accumulated defense-linked compounds including catechol, benzyl nitrile, and maltol. Overall, the integrated chemo-diversity landscape identifies BM-5 as a superior accession with high processing potential and value-addition prospects.