Contribution of mitochondria and peroxisomes to palmitate oxidation in peatissues

Total, mitochondrial and peroxisomal palmitate oxidation capacities were co mpared in pea, from the dry seed to 14 days after imbibition. Total beta -o xidation varied over the measured time period and showed four peaks of acti vity at day 2, days5-6, day 10 and days 12-13. The contribution of peroxiso mal and mitochondrial beta -oxidation to this overall beta -oxidation varie d. Over the first 48 h of seed germination, peroxisomal beta -oxidation acc ounted for 80-100% of the total observed beta -oxidation. The larger peaks of beta -oxidation at days 5-6, day 10 and days 12-13 were due primarily to mitochondrial beta -oxidation activity, which accounted for 70-90 % of the observed total beta -oxidation at these times. The peaks of activity are r elated to observed stages in seedling development.