Elucidation and modeling of ascorbic acid metabolism in apple during postharvest.

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is one of the most abundant antioxidants and is a cofactor for many enzymes in plants. It has multiple functions and its role in maintaining fruit quality under postharvest conditions is well recognized. Although the biosynthesis and metabolism of AsA have been studied extensively in photosynthetic tissue such as leaves, the regulation of AsA in fruit remains poorly understood. Apple is considered to be one of the economically most important fruits worldwide and is, therefore, an important research object in postharvest physiology. While some research on AsA metabolism in apple fruit is available, the AsA metabolism during postharvest conditions has hardly been studied before. In this project, a detailed study of the AsA metabolism will be performed by using precursor feeding experiments and by applying dynamic storage conditions. To measure the concentration changes of the different metabolites involved in the pathways and visualize their distribution, we will use state-of-the-art techniques based on LC-MS and MALDI-MSI, respectively. The obtained data will be used to model the flux throughout the AsA metabolism. This will provide novel insights into these pathways and provide clues as to how it is regulated. Furthermore, the model will allow prediction of the effects of changes in postharvest conditions on AsA metabolism and content.

Keywords:Ascorbic acid, Modelling, LC-MS, MALDI-MSI, Apple, Postharvest

Disciplines:Plant biology, Agricultural plant production, Horticultural production