Studies on Biosynthesis of Esters in Fruit Volatiles

Part II. Esterification of added alcohol in separated cellsfrom banana, strawberry and melon

Abstract

Separated cells from pulp of banana, strawberry or melon were obteined using pectinase. When butyl alcolol and acids(acetic or butyric)were added to these cells, esters were produced from separated mesocarp cells of strawberry and melon, but mesocarp cells of banana did not produce the esters. Vasculer tissue separated from banana pulp showed a strong capacity of esterification in contrast to mesocarp cells. From microscopic view, vasculer bundle was accompanied with bigger cells than mesocarp cells. Protoplasts from strawberry indicated also the esterification in the presence of butyl alcohol and butyrate. Addition of alcohol to separated cells or slices of these fruits indicated slightly acidic optimum peak(pH 5. 5)for esterification. The addition of acid besides alcohol shifted pH optimum from 5.5 to 6.5.