The isolation and specificity of alfalfa lipoxygenase

Metabolic changes of Malvasia grapes for wine production during postharvest drying

Malvasia (Vitis vinifera L.) grapes were harvested at 17.8% of soluble solids content (SSC) and placed inside an innovative dehydration room where temperature, relative humidity, and air flow were maintained, respectively, at 15 degrees C, 40%, and 1-1.5 m s(-1). Weight loss of bunches reached approximately 33% in 29 days. SSC increased inversely proportionally with the weight decrease, reaching at the end of experiment 23%. Abscisic acid (ABA) increased rapidly from around 29 to 80 microg g(-1) of dry weight at 11.7% of bunch weight loss and then declined gradually. Lipoxygenase (LOX) showed the same behavior as ABA, whereas alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), read in the way of ethanol oxidation, increased continuously when the weight loss reached approximately 19.5%. In parallel with the activity of LOX, C6 compound [hexanal, hex-1-enol, (E)-hex-2-enal] concentrations reached a peak at 11.7% of weight loss, whereas ethanol and acetaldehyde increased with the increase of ADH and successively decrease and ethyl acetate increased. Proline increased initially as ABA and successively with the increase of ADH, 5.3-fold increase versus 4.2-fold increase of proteins. Postharvest dehydration of Malvasia grapes shows a biphasic pattern: a first metabolic stress response up to 11.7% of bunch weight loss and a second stress response beyond 19.5% of weight loss. The metabolic mechanism of these postharvest water stress responses is discussed.

Alfalfa contains substantial 9-hydroperoxide lyase activity and a 3Z:2E-enal isomerase

Fatty acid hydroperoxides formed by lipoxygenase can be cleaved by hydroperoxide lyase resulting in the formation of short-chain aldehydes and omega-oxo acids. Plant hydroperoxide lyases use 13- or 9-hydroperoxy linoleic and linolenic acid as substrates. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has been reported to contain a hydroperoxide lyase specific for 13-hydroperoxy linoleic and linolenic acid only. However, in addition to 13-hydroperoxide lyase activity we found substantial 9-hydroperoxide lyase activity in alfalfa seedlings as well. The specific activity for 9-hydroperoxy fatty acids was about 50% of the activity for the 13-isomers. Furthermore, alfalfa seedlings contain a 3Z:2E-enal isomerase that converts the 3Z-enal products to their 2E-enal isoforms.

Biochemistry of lipoxygenase in relation to food quality

A renewed interest in lipoxygenase has led to detailed studies of its isoenzymes, substrate specificity, and the nature of its reaction products. Lipoxygenase is highly specific for cis,cis-1,4-pentadiene systems such as linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acid (or ester) and catalyzes the formation of the corresponding hydroperoxides with a cis,-trans-conjugated diene system. The hydroperoxides can then undergo enzymic or spontaneous degradation, producing a range of carbonyl compounds. This review will discuss the biochemical properties of this enzyme and its contribution to the quality of raw and processed food products. An attempt has been made to discuss both the desirable and undesirable effects associated with the action of lipoxygenase, citing specific food examples where appropriate.