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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 34(12)

l-Ascorbic acid accumulation in fruit of Ribes nigrum occurs by in situ biosynthesis via the l-galactose pathway

Robert D. Hancock A C , Paul G. Walker A , Simon D. A. Pont A , Nicola Marquis A , Sebastian Vivera A , Sandra L. Gordon A , Rex M. Brennan A and Roberto Viola B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom.

B IASMA, Via E. Mach, S. Michele all’Adige, I-38010, Trento, Italy.

C Corresponding author. Email: rob.hancock@scri.ac.uk

Functional Plant Biology 34(12) 1080-1091 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP07221
Submitted: 12 September 2007  Accepted: 22 October 2007   Published: 27 November 2007

Abstract

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a widely grown commercial crop valued for its high vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid, AsA) content. In the present study, a systematic analysis of the mechanism of fruit AsA accumulation was undertaken. AsA accumulation occurred during fruit expansion and was associated with high in situ biosynthetic capacity via the l-galactose pathway and low rates of turnover. Cessation of AsA accumulation was associated with reduced biosynthesis and increased turnover. Translocation of AsA from photosynthetic or vegetative tissues contributed little to fruit AsA accumulation. Manipulation of substrate availability by defoliation had no effect on fruit AsA concentration but significantly reduced fruit yields. Supply of the AsA precursor l-galactono-1,4-lactone to intact, attached fruit transiently increased fruit AsA concentration which rapidly returned to control levels after removal of the compound. These data suggest strong developmental, metabolic and genetic control of AsA accumulation in blackcurrant fruit and indicate the potential for breeding high AsA cultivars.

Additional keywords: antioxidant, blackcurrant, breeding, dehydroascorbic acid, vitamin C.


Acknowledgements

Funding was provided under the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Horticulture LINK scheme (MRS/002/03) with contributions from GlaxoSmithKline, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department and the Horticultural Development Council.


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