Award details

Molecular mechanics in fruit and vegetable cell walls: a solid-state NMR study

ReferenceD01692
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Michael Jarvis
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution University of Glasgow
DepartmentSchool of Chemistry
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 126,835
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 16/05/1994
End date 16/12/1997
Duration43 months

Abstract

The aim of the project is to use solid-state NMR relaxation experiments as a link between the mechanical properties of fruit and vegetable cell walls - determinants of textural quality - and the structure of the cell wall polysaccharides. Three biological systems will be used: 1. Ripening transgenic tomato fruit containing antisense genes to downregulate polygalacturonase and pectinesterase; 2. Potato tubers; 3. Onions. The onion and potato cell walls will be degraded by beta-elimination of pectins during normal cooking conditions. NMR relaxation data and measurements of the nuclear Overhauser effect made by a novel solid-state technique, will be used to define the primary polymer chains that become looser on ripening or cooking, and to find out how this allows other structural elements of the cell wall to become more flexible.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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