Interaction of Aldehydes with Uredospores of Stem Rust of Wheat

Abstract

1. Uredospores can bring about the oxidation and reduction of furfural to furoic acid and furfuryl alcohol. Similar reactions have been reported in the literature for many other aldehydes by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes. Spores were found capable of decreasing stimulatory activity when stored in stimulatory solutions. 2. Acetaldehyde was found to induce a small stimulation in oxygen uptake in uredospores and to increase the respiratory quotient. Most of the acetaldehyde consumed could not be accounted for by oxidation. 3. Water vapor passed through quantities of spores released volatile aldehyde which reacted with p-hydroxy biphenyl and substances capable of stimulating uredospore germination. The quantity of stimulatory aldehyde released increased with relative humidity and temperature. The reagent used for the measurement of acetaldehyde, p-hydroxy biphenyl, was found to give a similar reaction with pelargonaldehyde. 4. The possible roles of water vapor and of the biochemical conversion of...