Huanglongbing (HLB) disease caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Clas) threatens major portions of citrus production in the U.S. Efforts have been made to detect early changes in the metabolome of leaves of Clas-infected plants. The current study uses HPLC-fluorescence to analyze metabolite profiles of leaves of Hamlin and Valencia sweet orange trees during the progression of the HLB disease. Parameters for fluorescence detection of leaf metabolites in orange leaves were optimized, and this study showed that the concentrations of many leaf metabolites were influenced by the progression of HLB. Three main classes of compounds detected by fluorescence included hydroxycinnamates, coumarins, and polymethoxylated flavones. Other minor-occurring classes of fluorescent compounds were also detected, and structural studies of these classes by HPLC-MS are in progress.

HPLC-fluorescence studies of the changes in secondary metabolites during progression of Huanglonbing disease in sweet orange leaves

244th National Meeting (2012)

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