Effects of Cellular Components on the Chlorophyll Degradation in Radish Cotyledons

Abstract

Effects of cellular components on the chlorophyll (Chl) degradation in radish cotyledons were studied to clarify the mechanism of Chl degradation. Chls content of cotyledons decreased greatly during storage at 25°C in the dark. A slight decrease of Chl a content, however, was observed in the chloroplasts during the incubation at 25°C in the dark, whereas Chl a content decreased greatly in the cotyledon homogenate. Pyropheophorbide a, in particular, as a derivative was formed with the Chl a degradation in the cotyledon homogenate. These results indicate that the cellular components outside chloroplasts might relate largely to the Chl degradation in radish cotyledons.