Inhibition of Ethylene Production by Tropolone Compounds in Young Excised Peach Seeds.

Abstract

The effect of tropolone, hinokitiol, purpurogallin, and colchicine on ethylene production and ACC content in young excised peach seeds was investigated. Application of aqueous solution or suspension of these compounds inhibited ethylene production and suppressed the increase of ACC. Tropolone and hinokitiol at 250 ppm inhibited ethylene production by 95%, whereas purpurogallin and colchicine were less effective. Tropolone and hinokitiol are readily volatilized so that when the effect of their gaseous phase on ethylene production was examined, we found their inhibitory effects were proportionate to their concentrations. The inhibition by low gaseous hinokitiol concentration was released when the seeds were transferred to air, but it was irreversible when the concentration was high. Mechanisms of inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by tropolones are briefly discussed.