XANTHINE-OXIDASE MEDIATED INDUCTION OF CARTHAMIN SYNTHESIS IN CARTHAMUS-TINCTORIUS FLOWERS - EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE

Floret pastes from fresh or dried flowers of Carthamus tinctorius were incubated with xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2) at 10 munits/ml level. I n the presence of 5-500000 nM hypoxanthine or xalithine, the oxidase s ample is inducible carthamin synthesis in both fresh and dried florets , Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) affects sensitively the xanthine oxidase-mediated carthamin formation: inhibitory effects are presented in the reaction. The experimental data are referred briefly to the ox idative modification of flower colour in C. tinctorius capitula.