Influence of Colletotrichum simmondsii R. G. Shives & Y. P. Tan infection on selected primary and secondary metabolites in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) fruit and runners

The effect of Colletotrichum simmondsii infection on the contents of sugars, organic acids, and individual phenolic compounds was investigated in strawberry cultivar ‘Clery’. Primary metabolites were determined with the use of HPLC and secondary metabolites further confirmed with HPLC-MS. Colletotrichum simmondsii caused a decrease in sucrose and an increase in fructose and glucose in strawberry fruit. A significant decrease in the content of malic and citric acids was recorded in infected fruit. 12 forms of ellagic acid, nine flavanols and eight flavonols were identified in strawberry runners and nine forms of ellagic acid, six flavanols, seven flavonols and four anthocyanins in strawberry fruit. Significant differences in individual phenolic compounds in strawberry fruit were detected at the beginning of the infection compared to non-infected fruit. Specifically, ellagic acids significantly increased, flavonols generally decreased, and flavanols and anthocyanins increased with the progression of infection. Similarly, some forms of ellagic acid increased and others decreased in infected runners, procyanidins generally decreased and flavonols, increased but the differences were much less prominent.