Xingzhu Feng , Shaomin Yang , Jianli Zhong

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 5   doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0023
Received: 01 Sep., 2025    Accepted: 07 Oct., 2025    Published: 14 Oct., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Feng X.Z., Yang S.M., and Zhong J.L., 2025, Metabolomic and genomic analysis of theobromine biosynthesis in Theobroma cacao, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 15(5): 192-201 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0023)

 

This study combined metabolomics and genomics data to analyze the biosynthesis of theobromine in Theobroma cacao. The results show that theobromine is mainly synthesized in the young peels and cotyledons, and gradually accumulates in the seeds as the tissues mature. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the synthesis of theobromine is related to the transformation of purine nucleotides such as AMP and GMP, with key intermediates including 7-methylxanthosine and 3-methylxanthine. Genomic research has found that during the domestication process, genes related to theobromine metabolism were significantly selected, thereby affecting the theobromine content in different varieties. Multi-omics data also indicate that post-processing steps such as fermentation can lead to a decrease in theobromine levels. This study aims to provide molecular targets and theoretical references for improving cocoa quality and developing functional components.

Theobroma cacao; Theobromine; Metabolomics; Genomics; Biosynthetic pathway