A Comparative Metabolomics Analysis of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Fruit with Different Colors

In an attempt to elucidate the differences in metabolites among guava pulps of different colors, we identified 571 metabolites from four guava cultivars using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. In three comparison groups, white (A) versus pink (B), white (A) versus red (C), and white (A) versus yellow (D), the numbers of significantly differential metabolites were 246, 247, and 275, respectively, of which phenolic acids and flavonoids were the main common differential metabolites. We found an anthocyanin, cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside, acted as one of the main pigments in the pulp of cultivars B-D and determined that five copigments, chlorogenic acid, myricetin, myricitrin, quercetin, and quercitrin, may be involved in the formation of the red flesh color of cultivars C. The study provides a reference for the utilization of guava and further research on its coloration mechanism.