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Methoxyl groups of plant pectin as a precursor of atmospheric methane: evidence from deuterium labelling studies
Author(s) -
Keppler Frank,
Hamilton John T. G.,
McRoberts W. Colin,
Vigano Ivan,
Braß Marc,
Röckmann Thomas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02411.x
Subject(s) - labelling , deuterium , methane , pectin , chemistry , environmental chemistry , radiochemistry , astrobiology , organic chemistry , biology , food science , biochemistry , nuclear physics , physics
Summary• The observation that plants produce methane (CH 4 ) under aerobic conditions has caused considerable controversy among the scientific community and the general public. It led to much discussion and debate not only about its contribution to the global CH 4 budget but also about the authenticity of the observation itself. Previous results suggested that methoxyl groups of the abundant plant structural component pectin might play a key role in the in situ formation process of CH 4 . Here, this effect is investigated using an isotope labelling study. • Polysaccharides, pectin and polygalacturonic acid, with varying degrees of trideuterium‐labelled methyl groups in the methoxyl moieties, were investigated for CH 4 formation under UV irradiation and heating. • A strong deuterium signal in the emitted CH 4 was observed from these labelled polysaccharides. • Results clearly demonstrate that ester methyl groups of pectin can serve as a precursor of CH 4 , supporting the idea of a novel chemical route of CH 4 formation in plants under oxic environmental conditions.