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Effect of modification of storage atmosphere on phospholipids and ultrastructure of cauliflower mitochondria
Author(s) -
RomoParada L.,
Vézina L.P.,
Charest P. M.,
Castaigne F.,
Willemot C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1991.tb02485.x
Subject(s) - degree of unsaturation , phospholipid , cardiolipin , postharvest , ultrastructure , chemistry , mitochondrion , biochemistry , biology , botany , food science , membrane , chromatography
Differences in mitochondrial membrane composition and ultrastructure were studied after storage of cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea , L., Botrytis group) for 5 days at 25°C in air or under controlled atmospheres: 3% O 2 , 21% O 2 + 15% CO 2 or 3% O 2 + 15% CO 2 . In air, postharvest senescence involved a 20% decrease in mitochondrial phospholipid content. A large reduction in the relative abundance of phosphati‐dylcholine (PC) and in the degree of unsaturation of PC and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) was observed. However, the degree of unsaturation increased in cardiolipin (CL). Storage under 3% O 2 did not prevent phospholipid breakdown. Low O 2 prevented the relative decrease in PC observed during storage in air and the loss of linoleic acid from PC, but not from PE. This relative protection offered by the low O 2 atmosphere was lost under 3% O 2 + 15% CO 2 . The high CO 2 atmospheres caused twice as much loss in phospholipids as that observed during storage in air. Extensive loss of mitochondrial protein, a marked decrease in phospholipid to protein ratio, and electron micrograph observations suggest structural alterations in the presence of high CO 2 .