The distribution of carbohydrates in the organs ofSechium eduleSw.

Abstract

SummaryQuantitative and qualitative aspects of carbohydrates in the organs of three chayote, Sechium edule Sw., genotypes were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and colorimetric procedures. The total amount of ethanol-soluble sugars and of starch in the apical vegetative shoots of the genotypes did not differ significantly. The amount of sugars, however, within a genotype differs. There was twice as much glucose as sucrose and sorbitol and four times the amount of fructose as sucrose and sorbitol. The combined quantity of glucose and fructose in the shoots was six times greater than sucrose or sorbitol. The starch content in the root was 51% and in the tubers 72% on a dry-weight basis. In the immature fruit, the average starch content was higher in the seed (85 |xg mg-1 dry wt.) than in the flesh (75 (ig mg-1 dry wt.). The major chayote sugars were glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol, and to a lesser extent, raffi-nose and stachyose. In addition, two unkno...