Integrated UPLC-HRMS, Chemometric Tools, and Metabolomic Analysis of Forage Palm (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) to Define Biomarkers Associated with Non-Susceptibility to Carmine Cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae)

Metabolomics, together with analytical methods and chemometric tools, point to new paths for selecting species that are resistant to pests and diseases. In this work, the forage palm species' metabolomic profile was investigated, and the relation between the chemical composition and resistance to Dactylopius opuntiae (carmine cochineal). The study was performed in cladodes of different non-susceptible cultivars (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck, Opuntia stricta (Haw.), Nopalea cochenillifera and susceptible cultivar (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)). Metabolic profile showed 28 metabolit...