Award details

Apoplastic hydroxyl radicals and their in-vivo action on textural polysaccharides in ripening fruit tissues

ReferenceD19626
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Stephen Fry
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution University of Edinburgh
DepartmentInst for Molecular Plant Science
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 253,380
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/12/2003
End date 30/11/2006
Duration36 months

Abstract

The hydroxyl radical (OH) non-enzymically cleaves polysaccharides in vitro. We will test whether .OH is formed in the fruit apoplast in vivo and attacks structural polysaccharides, contributing to fruit softening. We will use pears (because of initial success) and several other fruits to look for OH by two novel techniques: (a) chemical fingerprinting of OH-attacked polysaccharides in fruit; (b) detection of apoplastic OH by a membrane-impermeant reporter molecule that reacts specifically with OH to yield 3H20. The 2 methods will be further refined, and OH-scavengers used as a test of validity. If apoplastic OH is widespread, this will be of great importance in re-defining future opportunities for commercial control of fruit quality.

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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