Anthocyanins, carotenoids, and betalains are known as the three major pigments in the plant kingdom. Anthocyanins are flavonoids derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. They undergo acylation and glycosylation in the cytoplasm to produce anthocyanin derivatives and deposits in the cytoplasm. Anthocyanin biosynthesis is regulated by the MBW (comprised by R2R3-MYB, basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) and WD40) complex. Carotenoids are fat-soluble terpenoids whose synthetic genes also are regulated by the MBW complex. As precursors for the synthesis of hormones and nutrients, carotenoids are not only synthesized in plants, but also synthesized in some fungi and bacteria, and play an important role in photosynthesis. Betalains are special water-soluble pigments that exist only in Caryophyllaceae plants. Compared to anthocyanins and carotenoids, the synthesis and regulation mechanism of betalains is simpler, starting from tyrosine, and is only regulated by MYB (myeloblastosis). Recently, a considerable amount of novel information has been gathered on the regulation of plant pigment biosynthesis, specifically with respect to aspects. In this review, we summarize the knowledge and current gaps in our understanding with a view of highlighting opportunities for the development of pigment-rich plants.

Plant metabolites are crucial for the growth, development, environmental adaptation, and nutritional quality of plants. Plant metabolomics, a key branch of systems biology, involves the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the composition, variation, and functions of these metabolites. Advances in technology have transformed plant metabolomics into a sophisticated process involving sample collection, metabolite extraction, high-throughput analysis, data processing, and multidimensional statistical analysis. In today’s era of big data, the field is witnessing an explosion in data acquisition, offering insight into the complexity and dynamics of plant metabolism. Moreover, multiple omics strategies can be integrated to reveal interactions and regulatory networks across different molecular levels, deepening our understanding of plant biological processes. In this review, we highlight recent advances and challenges in plant metabolomics, emphasizing the roles for this technique in improving crop varieties, enhancing nutritional value, and increasing stress resistance. We also explore the scientific foundations of plant metabolomics and its applications in medicine, and ecological conservation.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the most valuable fruit and horticultural crop species worldwide. Compared with their progenitors, the fruits of modern tomato cultivars are, however, often described as having unsatisfactory taste or lacking flavor. The flavor of a tomato fruit arises from a complex mix of tastes and volatile metabolites, including sugars, acids, amino acids, and various volatiles. However, considerable differences in fruit flavor occur among tomato varieties, resulting in mixed consumer experiences. While tomato breeding has traditionally been driven by the desire for continual increases in yield and the introduction of traits that provide a long shelf-life, consumers are prepared to pay a reasonable premium for taste. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize preferences of tomato flavor and to define its underlying genetic basis. Here, we review recent conceptual and technological advances that have rendered this more feasible, including multi-omics-based QTL and association analyses, along with the use of trained testing panels, and machine learning approaches. This review proposes how the comprehensive datasets compiled to date could allow a "precise rational design" of tomato germplasm resources with improved organoleptic quality for the future.