Abstract: The dynamic changes of differential metabolites of Phyllostachys edulis shoots at three stages including ground breaking (S1, 5 cm high), growth (S2, 20 cm high) and rapid growth (S3, 40 cm high) were studied by widely targeted metabolomics combined with basic physiological indices. The results of physiological analyses showed that the nutritional and flavor quality was better at the ground breaking stage than at the other growth stages. A total of 765 metabolites were identified by metabolomics. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the composition of metabolites varied significantly among growth stages. There were 203 differentially accumulated metabolites identified, among which lipids, amino acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids remarkably changed. The nutritional quality at the ground breaking stage could be closely related to the enrichment of most flavonoids, free fatty acids, amino acids and neochlorogenic acid. At the latter two stages, bamboo shoots mainly contained lipids, amino acid derivatives, organic acids, phenolic acids and melatonin as well as a large number of bioactive ingredients, which could be closely related to improving the environmental adaptability of bamboo shoots. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for understanding the nutritional value of P. edulis shoots and for the exploitation and utilization of bamboo resources.

Key words: Phyllostachys edulis shoots; different growth stages; metabolomics; differential metabolite; nutritional quality