Original scientific paper

Carotenoid-bearing structures in fruit chromoplasts of Solatium capsicastrum Link.

Nikola Ljubešić ; Ruđer Bošković Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics, Zagreb, Croatia
Mercedes Wrischer ; Ruđer Bošković Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics, Zagreb, Croatia
Tatjana Prebeg ; Ruđer Boškovic Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics, Zagreb, Croatia
Dragomir Brkić ; Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The fine structure, pigment content and protein profile of chromoplasts in fruit of Solatium capsicastrum were studied during the various stages of ripening. Plastid metamorphosis is synchronized with the disappearance of chlorophylls and intense synthesis of carotenoids. The chloro-chromoplasts observed in the first stages of fruit ripening accumulated large groups of plastoglobules. As the ripening process proceeded, the plastoglobules transformed into small crystalloids and tubules. In red ripe fruit the chromoplasts contained three carotenoid-bearing structures: plastoglobules, small crystalloids and tubules, Fruit treated with norfiurazon formed only numerous plastoglobules, whereas the other two structures were absent. The results are discussed with regard to previous results on the formation of specific chromoplasts structures.

Keywords

Solatium capsicastrum; fruit chromoplast; carotenoid-bearing structure; ultrastructure

Hrčak ID:

160828

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/160828

Publication date:

31.12.2001.

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