Changes in the Physical State of Membrane Lipids during Senescence of Rose Petals

Changes in the physical state of microsomal membrane lipids during senescence of rose flower petals (Rosa hyb. L. cv Mercedes) were measured by x-ray diffraction analysis. During senescence of cut flowers held at 22 degrees C, lipid in the ordered, gel phase appeared in the otherwise disordered, liquid-crystalline phase lipids of the membranes. This was due to an increase in the phase transition temperature of the lipids. The proportion of gel phase in the membrane lipids of 2-day-old flowers was estimated as about 20% at 22 degrees C. Ethylene may be responsible, at least in part, for the increase in lipid transition temperature during senescence since aminooxyacetic acid and silver thiosulfate inhibited the rise in transition temperature. When flowers were stored at 3 degrees C for 10 to 17 days and then transferrd to 22 degrees C, gel phase lipid appeared in membranes earlier than in freshly cut flowers. This advanced senescence was the result of aging at 3 degrees C, indicated by increases in membrane lipid transition temperature and ethylene production rate during the time at 3 degrees C. It is concluded that changes in the physical state of membrane lipids are an integral part of senescence of rose petals, that they are caused, at least in part, by ethylene action and that they are responsible, at least in part, for the increase in membrane permeability which precedes flower death.