Key message

In albino tea cultivars, the content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and metabolites changes significantly, which has an important influence on the regulation mechanism of tea albinism.

Abstract

Albino tea mutants with specific shoot colors (white or yellow) have received extensive attention for their uniqueness. Herein, novel natural mutants of C. sinensis ‘Fuyun 6’ with yellow leaves (YF-6) and the same genetic background as the original green variety (GF-6) were obtained. The metabolomes of the two species were compared using LC–ESI–MS/MS. A total of 124 significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) were identified in the metabolite profile of YF-6. Compared with GF-6, 64 upregulated metabolites and 60 downregulated metabolites were identified in YF-6. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, metabolites related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism were enriched in other secondary metabolic pathways. The chlorophyll content in YF-6 was significantly reduced, and the carotenoid content was slightly decreased. A large number of metabolites related to photoprotection accumulated in YF-6, including flavonoids, l-ascorbic acid, lipids, and vitamins and their derivatives. The decrease in chlorophyll content increases the possibility of light stress, thereby facilitating large-scale metabolic reprogramming events under light pressure. This study provides a reference value for further research on the metabolic mechanism of albino tea germplasm and provides new materials for the production and application of tea.