Accumulation of α-Tocopherol in Senescing Organs as Related to Chlorophyll Degradation

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Abstract
α-Tocopherol (α-T) has been identified, using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, in senescing leaves of Melia azedarach L. The content of α-T increased concomitantly with the breakdown of chlorophyll in senescing Vinca and Melia leaves. An increase in α-T was found also in detached Melia leaves, senescing in either light or darkness and in senescing, ethylene-treated orange leaves and fruit. The possibility that phytol, which is released from chlorophyll by chlorophyllase is utilized for the biosynthesis of α-T is discussed. Senescing leaves of the low chlorophyllase plants, parsley and tobacco, did not contain α-T in measureable amounts.