Integrated multi-omics analysis of sulfadiazine-induced oxidative stress and its impact on catechin biosynthesis and tea quality in Camellia sinensis.

Abstract

Sulfadiazine (SDZ), a sulfonamide antibiotic and soil contaminant, poses risks to tea metabolism. Integrated analyses revealed that SDZ (>5 mg/kg) markedly inhibited root elongation, disrupted mesophyll architecture, accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde and ascorbate peroxidase but reduced peroxidase activity, indicating oxidative stress and membrane lipid peroxidation damage. HPLC analyses revealed a significant increase in total catechin content. Metabolomic profiling revealed 616 DAMs, mainly phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and lipids. Multi-omics analysis indicated activation of the pentose phosphate and oxidative phosphorylation pathways to sustain redox balance and energy supply. Transcriptomic and dual-luciferase evidence supported CsMYB1 as a candidate negative regulator of catechin biosynthesis. Reduced CsMYB1 expression under high SDZ exposure may relieve repression of CsANR, CsSCPL, and CsF3'H, potentially promoting esterified catechin accumulation, particularly epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate. These findings reveal metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming under high SDZ exposure and highlight a trade-off between bioactive catechin accumulation and growth or structural impairment.

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