The Metabolism of the Apple during Storage

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A survey was made of changes in amts. of certain metabolites and possible respiratory intermediates in the flesh of Australian Granny Smith apples during storage at 0[degree]C. Respiratory activity shows/2 peaks, carbohydrates form the predominant substrate for respiration. Evidence indicates that a carbonyl compound of low mol. wt. may be an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism. Fluctuations in total organic acids, malic acid, and citric acid suggest that the tricarboxylic acid cycle of Krebs may operate in carbohydrate oxidation in the apple. Ascorbic acid, which decreases during storage, and oxalic acid, which remains constant, do not fluctuate significantly with the respiration rate. Total N remains approx. constant during storage but there is an appreciable synthesis of protein. This synthesis appears to be related to the large reserves of available carbohydrate and is dependent on the level of respiratory activity.

This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit: