Differential metabolic responses caused by the most important insect pest of coffee worldwide, the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei)

Authors: CASTRO-MORETTI, FERNANDO - University Of North Texas; COCURON, JEAN-CHRISTOPHE - University Of North Texas; Vega, Fernando; ALONSO, ANA PAULA - University Of North Texas

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2020
Publication Date: 2/10/2020
Citation: Castro-Moretti, F.R., Cocuron, J., Vega, F.E., Alonso, A. 2020. Differential metabolic responses caused by the most important insect pest of coffee worldwide, the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 68:2597-2605.

Interpretive Summary: The coffee berry borer is the most devastating pest of coffee throughout the world and causes millions of dollars in losses each year. It is important to understand the metabolic impact the insect causes to its feeding substrate, coffee seeds. In total, 70 compounds were detected and quantified. The results unveiled that the coffee berry borer alters coffee seed metabolism and also that coffee taxa (Coffea arabica and C. canephora) respond differently to infestation. This information will be of use to coffee scientists, entomologists, and the coffee industry.

Technical Abstract: The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is the most destructive insect pest affecting worldwide coffee production and quality. Infestation levels have been reported to reach up to 85%. Even though it has been studied for over 100 years, little is known about the metabolic impact it causes to its feeding substrate, coffee seeds. In this study, it was hypothesized that coffee berry borer attack induces metabolic responses in green coffee seeds. For that purpose, Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (robusta) green seeds infested or not by the coffee berry borer were assessed by targeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify intracellular metabolites. Additionally, biomass components were evaluated (total protein, fatty acids, starch, and cell wall). In total, 70 compounds were detected and quantified: 25 amino acids and derivatives, 10 sugars and sugar alcohols, 24 organic acids and phosphorylated compounds and 11 phenolic compounds. The results unveiled that the coffee berry borer alters coffee seed metabolism and also that coffee taxa respond differently to infestation. More importantly, it was possible to establish and validate a set of compounds that can be used as biochemical markers for changes induced by the coffee berry borer. In Arabica seeds, increases in chlorogenic and quinic acids were associated with infestation whereas higher abundances of organic acids such as suberic and malonic acids, and sugar alcohols were correlated with infested robusta.