ascorbic-acid and pyrabactin

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant growth regulator with roles in senescence, fruit ripening and environmental stress responses. ABA and pyrabactin (a non-photosensitive ABA agonist) effects on red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit development (including ripening) were studied, with a focus on vitamin and antioxidant composition. Application of ABA and/or pyrabactin just after fruit set did not affect the temporal pattern of fruit development and ripening; neither provitamin A (carotenoids) nor vitamin E contents were modified. In contrast, ABA and pyrabactin altered the vitamin C redox state at early stages of fruit development and more than doubled vitamin C contents at the end of fruit ripening. These were partially explained by changes in ascorbate oxidation and recycling. Therefore, ABA and pyrabactin applications may be used to increase vitamin C content of ripe fruits, increasing fruit quality and value. However, treatments containing pyrabactin-combined with ABA or alone-diminished protein content, thus partially limiting its potential applicability.

Topics: Abscisic Acid; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Fruit; Naphthalenes; Plant Growth Regulators; Rubus; Sulfonamides

"What do cells, genes, transposons, telomeres, RNA silencing and DNA recombination have in common? They were all discovered in plants." This is how Rob Martienssen emphasizes the contributions of plant research. We asked plant scientists whether their field is getting adequate support and proper recognition and heard a resounding "no."

Topics: Arabidopsis; Arabidopsis Proteins; Ascorbic Acid; Naphthalenes; Sulfonamides