Biosynthesis of l-Ascorbic Acid in Tissue (I)

Formation of l-Ascorbic Acid in Bean Seedlings and the Effect of SH-compounds or SH-inhibitors

Abstract

The l-ascorbic acid content of green bean seedlings increased with the germination, when the plant was grown on the media with SH inhibitors, such as p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB), NaASO₂, and CH₂ICOOH, but this was reverse with SH compounds such as reduced glutathione (GSH), and cysteine. On the contrary the formation of l-ascorbic acid from D-glucurono-lactone, which is said to be the precursor of that vitamin during the germination was inhibited by the presence of SH inhibitors such as PCMB; but SH compounds such as GSH or cysteine increased this biosynthesis.