INDUCTION OF BIOSYNTHESIS OF EPICATECHIN IN AVOCADO SUSPENSION CELLS TREATED WITH AN ENRICHED CO2 ATMOSPHERE

Exposure to an atmosphere of 30% carbon dioxide caused increased level s of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity in avocado cell suspen sion cultures. The carbon dioxide treatment also enhanced chalcone syn thase activity by 30% and resulted in a 1 . 5-2 fold greater accumulat ion of epicatechin than in untreated cells. It was concluded that the level of epicatechin in avocado suspension cells can be increased by c arbon dioxide, and this increase appears to be regulated by PAL and CH S activation. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited.