Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses for the mechanism underlying anthocyanin synthesis during the growth and development of purple eggplant (Solanum melongena L)

This study demonstrates that anthocyanin accumulation in eggplant fruit peels is tightly linked to the upregulation of biosynthetic genes and MYB TFs during development. The functional validation of <i>SmMYB32</i> and <i>SmMYB67</i> highlights their potential as targets for breeding high-anthocyanin cultivars. These findings advance our understanding of anthocyanin regulation in eggplant and provide actionable strategies for improving nutritional quality through molecular breeding.