Polyamines and sterols in Cichorium heads

Free sterol and polyamine contents were investigated in chicory leaves of d ifferent physiological ages and throughout a postharvest period. The major polyamine present was putrescine (put), especially in the oldest leaves. Sp ermidine (spd) was present in considerable amounts, showing a tendency to d ecrease with the increasing physiological age of the leaves. At harvest, th e put content in the floral stalk was similar to that in older leaves and i t increased during postharvest. The opposite was found for spd, being simil ar to younger leaves and being constant during postharvest. Free sterol con tent increased with postharvest and also with physiological age of the leav es. Sitosterol was always the major free sterol present, followed by stigma sterol and campesterol. The stigmasterol to sitosterol ratio rose with time after harvest, older leaves showing higher ratios than younger leaves. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.