Abstract
Detached leaves of Parthenocissus quinquefolia L., Vitaceae convert d-glucose to l-ascorbic acid with conservation of the carbon chain sequence and with retention of the hydroxymethyl group at carbon 6. l-Ascorbic acid is cleaved between carbons 4 and 5. The C4 fragment is converted to l-tartaric acid. The C2 fragment, possibly glycolaldehyde, recycles into products of hexose phosphate metabolism. During the metabolic period a relatively high portion of carbon-1 of l-ascorbic acid, as compared with carbon-4, was released as CO2. These studies demonstrate the usefulness of Virginia Creeper for yeararound research on ascorbic-acid metabolism and tartaric-acid biosynthesis in Vitaceae-type plants.
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Abbreviations
- AA:
-
l-Ascorbic Acid
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Helsper, J.P.F.G., Saito, K. & Loewus, F.A. Biosynthesis and metabolism of l-ascorbic acid in virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia L.). Planta 152, 171–176 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391190
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391190