Effect of wounding on the synthesis of phenols, phenol oxidase, and peroxidase in the tuber tissue of Jerusalem artichoke.

Abstract

Slices of tubers of Jerusalem artichoke were cultured at 28 °C in complete darkness, and the production of phenolic acids, phenol oxidase, and peroxidase was studied in relation to subsequent cutting of the tissue. Wounding increased the production of both phenolic acids and enzymes. Purification of the peroxidase by DEAE-cellulose chromatography showed that not all of its components were synthesized in the injured slices. Cycloheximide and chloramphenicol were added to cultures to investigate a requirement for the de novo synthesis of protein in relation to production of the compounds. Cycloheximide at a concentration of 5 μg/ml strongly inhibited the production of both phenolic acids and the enzymes, but chloramphenicol decreased the production of only phenol oxidase.