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Use of lysophosphatidylethanolamine, a natural lipid, to retard tomato leaf and fruit senescence
Author(s) -
Farag Karim M.,
Palta Jiwan P.
Publication year - 1993
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.1399-3054.1993.tb02501.x
Subject(s) - lysophosphatidylethanolamine , ethylene , climacteric , respiration , senescence , horticulture , respiration rate , darkness , biology , botany , chlorophyll , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , phospholipid , membrane , phosphatidylcholine , genetics , menopause , catalysis
We studied the influence of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) on the pattern and rate of ethylene production and respiration of tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum cv. H7155) leaflets and fruit. Leaflets that had been senescing on the plant showed a climacteric‐like rise in ethylene production but not in respiration rate which decreased continuously with leaf age. Detached leaflets had a climacteric‐like pattern in respiration whether they were incubated in complete darkness or in light. Detached leaflets incubated in the dark had higher rates of ethylene production and CO 2 evolution than did light‐incubated leaves. There was no change in the pattern of ethylene production or CO 2 evolution as a result of LPE treatment. However, LPE‐treated attached and detached leaflets had consistently lower rates of CO 2 evolution. The reduction in CO 2 evolution by LPE was most pronounced at the climacteric‐like peak of the detached leaves. LPE‐treated leaflets had a higher chlorophyll content and fresh weight and lower electrolyte leakage than the control. LPE‐treated fruits had lower rates of ethylene and CO 2 production than did the control. LPE‐treated fruits also had higher pericarp firmness and lower electrolyte leakage than the control. The results of the present study provide evidence that LPE is able to retard senescence of attached leaves and detached leaves and tomato fruits. Several recent studies suggest that lysolipids can act in a specific manner as metabolic regulators. Our results suggest a specific role of lysolipid LPE in aging and senescence