Using lipidomics to reveal details of lipid accumulation in developing Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) seed kernels

Abstract Background The oil content of Siberian apricot seed kernel (SASK) is generally as high as 50%, and biodiesel fuel properties of SASK oil were conformed to EN 14214 and GB/T 20828-2007 standards. Thus, Prunus sibirica is a novel non-crop feedstock for biodiesel production in China. We have been addressing this issue by studying the regulation of oil accumulation in SASK.Results As part of this research we have carried out a detailed lipidomic analysis in developing SASK. Here, oil contents and fatty acid (FA) compositions were studied in developing SASK from AS-80 and AS-84, at intervals of 1 week from 3 weeks after anthesis (WAA) to 9 weeks. The major differences between the two germplasms are higher contents of C18:1 and C18:2 in AS-80 than in AS-84 at a mature stage. The SASKs of 4, 6 and 8 WAA, respectively representing early, mid and late phases of oil accumulation, were selected as optimal samples for lipidomic analysis. The molecular species in individual lipid classes between AS-80 and AS-84 were similar, and exhibited quite distinct patterns with SASK development. Additionally, the lipidomic data coupled with qRT-PCR analysis suggested that three mechanisms allow the flux of FA through phosphatidylcholine that influenced the molecular composition of eventual TAG.Conclusions The first report on lipidomic analysis during seed development in wood oilseed plants. Our data contribute significantly to understand the underlying mechanisms of lipid accumulation in P. sibirica , and may also present strategies for engineering oil accumulation in oilseed plants.