Biosynthesis of carotenoids in bittermelon at high temperature

Abstract

Detached mature green bittermelon fruit were ripened at 25 and 35° to determine the influence of temperature on the biosynthesis of carotenoids in the fruit tissues. Carotenoid biosynthesis was inhibited in the seed aril at 35°. The production of α-carotene, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in the pericarp was not significantly affected at high temperature while β-carotene and the total carotenoids increased during the later stages of ripening at 35°. Carotenogenesis in the aril and in the pericarp responded differently to high temperature probably because the chromoplasts in the tissues metamorphose from different plastid types.