Accumulation patterns of bioactive constituents during fruit ripening in Gardenia jasminoides and associated transcriptomic analysis

Yan Shurong, Wu Liujie, Xie Linjian, Chen Wandong, Xie Shangwei, Deng Shaoyong, Li Meng, Wang Xianrong, Zhang Min

Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5) : 99-107.

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南京林业大学学报（自然科学版）
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Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (5) : 99-107. DOI: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202507041

Accumulation patterns of bioactive constituents during fruit ripening in Gardenia jasminoides and associated transcriptomic analysis

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Abstract

【Objective】The fruit of Gardenia jasminoides is a traditional Chinese medicine rich in bioactive components including geniposide and crocin. To date, the temporal accumulation patterns of these bioactive compounds in G. jasminoides remain unclear, and the underlying molecular mechanisms driving their accumulation are poorly understood and require further investigation. This research provides an important reference for the cultivation, production, and optimal harvesting of G. jasminoides.【Method】High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify bioactive compound contents in G. jasminoides fruits at different developmental stages. Transcriptome sequencing was further conducted to screen key structural genes and transcription factors associated with their biosynthesis.【Result】During fruit ripening of G. jasminoides, geniposide content fluctuated and decreased significantly at the fully ripe stage. In contrast, the contents of crocin I and crocin II increased continuously and peaked at fruit maturity. Transcriptome analysis revealed that structural genes such as GPPPS, G8O, 7-DLGT, LAMT, CRTISO, CCD, and ALDH were significantly upregulated at the late fruit developmental stage, which may facilitate the accumulation of geniposide and crocins. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified six co-expression modules correlated with the metabolism of bioactive compounds in G. jasminoides, involving members of multiple transcription factor families, including TFIIIA, MYB, BRF1, AS1, VOZ1, TCP4, GTE8, GT-4, bHLH, and WRKY. These transcription factors form a complex regulatory network by modulating the expression of downstream target genes, and cooperatively regulate the biosynthetic pathways of geniposide and crocins.【Conclusion】During the maturation of G. jasminoides, the accumulation of geniposide and crocins exhibit temporal characteristics. This dynamic process is mainly driven by the temporal upregulation of the above-mentioned structural genes. Regulatory modules composed of transcription factors such as MYB, BRF1, bHLH, and WRKY synergistically shape the accumulation of these three bioactive compounds.

Key words

geniposide / crocin / high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) / transcriptome / weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA) / Gardenia jasminoides

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Yan Shurong , Wu Liujie , Xie Linjian , et al . Accumulation patterns of bioactive constituents during fruit ripening in Gardenia jasminoides and associated transcriptomic analysis[J]. Journal of Nanjing Forestry University (Natural Sciences Edition）. 2026, 50(5): 99-107 https://doi.org/10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202507041

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部分采样工作得到了南麂列岛国家级海洋自然保护区综合科学考察岛陆生物多样性调查服务项目的支持。

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