Role of chlorophyllase in chlorophyll metabolism in olives cv. gordal

Abstract

During the development of the olive two stages in chlorophyll evolution can be distinguished: one of synthesis when the fruit is in the growth phase, and a degradative stage which begins when the fruit is completely developed. Although the enzyme chlorophyllase is present in olives throughout their development cycle, its activity reaches a maximum at both the beginning and end of the vegetative growth phase. During these two periods chlorophyll synthesis prevails, so the two maxima in enzyme activity are associated with the involvement of chlorophyllase in chlorophyll synthesis. Small amounts of chlorophyllides a and b have been detected during the initial growth period of the fruit, which coincides with a phase of great chlorophyll synthesis. Later, synthetic and degradative mechanisms may overlap, making the detection of dephytylated compounds impossible. At the same time allomerized chlorophyllic derivatives-132-hydroxychlorophyll a, 132-methoxychlorophyll a, 132-methoxychlorophyll b, 151-methoxylactone-chlorophyll a and 151-methoxylactone-chlorophyll b - can be detected, suggesting the presence of chlorophyll oxidase. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.