Changes in Microsomal Electron Transport of Plant Storage Tissues Induced by Slicing and Aging

Abstract

Slicing turnip, swede, and beet storage tissues induced 20-100% loss of micro-somal NADH dehydrogenase activities within 10 min. Subsequent washing of the slices resulted in partial recovery of some activities particularly NADH-cytochrome c reductase which reached a maximum after 24 hr aging then again declined. Slicing also induced a 20% decrease in microsomal protein but this loss was recovered after 5-10 hr aging. These induced changes correlated with reported changes in the ultra-structure of the endoplasmic reticulum.