Acetaldehyde inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis in mango fruit.
Burdon J., Dori S., Marinansky R., Pesis E.
Author Affiliation: Department of Post-Harvest Science of Fresh Produce, Agricultural Research Organisation, The Volcani Centre, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel.
Postharvest Biology and Technology 8 : 153-161
Abstract : The effects of acetaldehyde and ethanol on ethylene production were examined using mango (cv. Keitt) fruit discs and whole fruits (some of which were peeled to enhance vapour penetration). Ethylene production is very low (1 nl?g-1h-1) in unripe mango fruits and treatments with acetaldehyde and ethanol had concentration-dependent effects on ethylene production. Application of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to acetaldehyde- or ethanol-treated fruit discs showed acetaldehyde to be capable of completely eliminating the increase in ACC oxidase activity, whereas ethanol was not. The results suggest that acetaldehyde is capable of inhibiting the activity of ACC oxidase directly, or alternatively of preventing an increase in the enzyme, thereby providing a possible mechanism for retarding fruit ripening.