Abstract
The effect of lead arsenate on coenzyme A (CoA) was examined in order to investigate the involvement of CoA in the reduction of free acidity of juice by the chemical in hopes of finding non-toxic acid-reducing chemicals.
0.3% lead arsenate solution was sprayed on satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) trees 3 to 5 weeks after full bloom.
Total CoA concentration was not affected apparently, but acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) concentration decreased meaning a proportional decrease of AcCoA to total CoA. Meanwhile the free acidity of juice in lead arsenate sprayed fruits was 16 to 22% lower than that in unsprayed fruits.
The decrease in proportion of AcCoA in total CoA about five weeks after lead arsenate spraying showed a high correlation with the decrease of free acidity of juice at harvest in sprayed fruits. It was suggested that arsenolysis could cause acidity of juice to decrease by reducing production of citric acid.
