Abstract
Summary Seedlings of the parasitic plant Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. synthesize ascorbic acid (AA); however, the conversion of galactono-γ-lactone (GL) to AA is low in respect to other angiosperms. The AA content of the seedlings, as well as the AA/dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) ratio, is much lower than in any other higher plant. Cuscuta has no AA oxidase, but it does have AA peroxidase, its activity being similar to that found in normal green plants. Both the reducing enzymes-ascorbic free radical (AFR) reductase and DHA reductase- are present in this parasitic plant. DHA reductase activity is fairly high; while, that of AFR reductase is ten times lower than in etiolated and green plants. These results suggest that AFR reductase is a key enzyme for maintaining the AA system in the reduced state and explain why the AA/DHA ratio is low in this parasitic plant.
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