Regulation of Glycolytic Metabolism in Fresh-cut Carrots under Low Oxygen Atmosphere

Abstract

Carrot (Daucus carota L.) shreds were stored under a continuous flow of air or 0.5% and 2% O2 (balance N,) for 9 days at 5 and 15C. The resulting changes in respiration, levels of glycolytic intermediates, and activities of ATP: phosphofructo kinase (ATP-PFK), and PPi: phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK) were monitored. Carrots under low O atmosphere exhibited an increase in RQ due to a greater reduction in 02 consumption than in CO2 production, and the increase in RQ was greater at 0.5% than at 2% O2 at both temperatures. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6P) accumulated with decreased O2 atmosphere and was 2-fold greater at 0.5% than at 2% O2 atmosphere at both temperatures. The levels of other glycolytic intermediates were not significantly influenced by low O2. The increase in PPi-PFK activity occurred at the same time as F1,6P accumulation. A similar relationship was not found with ATP-PFK. These results suggest that PPi-PFK may be involved in regulation of glycolysis under low O2 atmosphere.