Use of ¹³C-label distribution for metabolic analysis of apple fruit maturation

In this study, we used dynamic ¹³C-isotope labeling experiments of apple tissue discs emerged in liquid medium.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based metabolite profiling was used to characterize the metabolic pool sizes and label enrichments of metabolites evaluated during the ¹³C feeding experiments.
The metabolic changes of ‘Braeburn’ apples at their late developmental stage (149 days after full bloom) were addressed by monitoring the distribution of ¹³C label from [U-¹³C]glucose into the various metabolites.
This study covered earlier developmental stages starting from 30 days after full bloom as well.
Following the incubation of apple tissue discs in 20 mM [U-¹³C]glucose for 24 h, appreciable label accumulations were observed in the majority of metabolites including sugars, sugar phosphates, organic acids and amino acids.
The results indicated that uptake and labeling dynamics of the metabolites decreased with progressing growth and maturation of apple fruit from which the tissue discs were derived.

VIII International Postharvest Symposium: Enhancing Supply Chain and Consumer Benefits – Ethical and Technological Issues

W. Beshir, M.L.A.T.M. Hertog, A.H. Geeraerd, B.M. Nicolaï

Malus ×domestica ‘Braeburn’, fruit ripening, ¹³C labeling, GC-MS analysis

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.54