Biosynthesis of carotenoids in bittermelon at high temperature

Detached mature green bittermelon fruit were ripened at 25 and 35 degrees to determine the influence of temperature on the biosynthesis of carotenoids in the fruit tissues. Carotenoid biosynthesis was inhibited in the seed aril at 35 degrees. The production of alpha-carotene, alpha-cryptoxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and violaxanthin in the pericarp was not significantly affected at high temperature while beta-carotene and the total carotenoids increased during the later stages of ripening at 35 degrees. Carotenogenesis in the aril and in the pericarp responded differently to high temperature probably because the chromoplasts in the tissues metamorphose from different plastid types. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ali rights reserved.