Physiological response and extension of vase life of cut carnation flowers treated with ethanol and acetaldehyde. II. Protein content and enzyme activity

摘要

Ethanol and acetaldehyde both prevent the formation of ethylene by senescing cut carnation flowers. This is due to the almost complete inhibition of the activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-carboxylic acid oxidase. These treatments also reduce the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid content of the tissue and result in a loss of protein. The protein content of treated flowers was significantly lower than that of control flowers, due to a general rather than specific loss of protein. This affects the metabolism of the flowers, preventing enzyme mediated reactions as well as cell growth and development. One enzyme that remained active was alcohol dehydrogenase, allowing for a constant shuttling between ethanol and acetaldehyde.