Glycosidase activities and polysaccharide accumulation in sugar cane stalks during post-collection impairment

• Published in: Plant science (Limerick) Vol. 72; no. 2; pp. 193 - 198
• Main Authors: Martinez, Maritza, Legaz, M.Estrella, Paneque, M., Domech, R., de Armas, R., Medina, Isabel, Rodriguez, C.W., Vicente, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 1990; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; fructanase; fructans; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glycosidase; manganese; Metabolism; Photosynthesis, respiration. Anabolism, catabolism; Plant physiology and development; post-collection impairment; sugar cane; glycosidase; fructans; fructanase; post-collection impairment; MMWC; sugar cane; manganese; SP; HPLC; GLC; Monocotyledones; Enzyme; Metabolism; Sugar plant; Stem; Hydrolysis; Enzymatic activity; Saccharum officinarum; Gramineae; Biotransformation; Angiospermae; Glycosidase; Spermatophyta; Carbohydrate; Microorganism; Biological accumulation; Polysaccharide; Manganese
• ISSN: 0168-9452; 1873-2259
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-9452(90)90082-Y

Sugar cane accumulates in its stalks sucrose and, later, polysaccharides including fructans. These polysaccharides are hydrolyzed by a fructanase which requires Mn 2+ to act. Since these fructans are heteropolymers containing both fructose and galactitol, the enzyme must contain at least two different hydrolase activities. During the first 2 days of post-collection impairment, fructanase activity rapidly develops and, then, it decreases and stabilizes. The decrease in the amount of mid-molecular weight carbohydrates after the fourth day of post-collection impairment can be seen as a consequence of the stabilization of fructanase activity. This hydrolase is inhibited by an excess of Mn 2+ as well as by reducing sugars accumulated in the juices.