title: Modification of fatty acids changes the flavor volatiles in tomato leaves.
abstract: Expression of the yeast Delta9 desaturase gene in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) resulted in changes in the profiles of fatty acids in tomato leaves. Transgenic leaves displayed a dramatic increase in cis-Delta9 16:1, which only existed in a small quantity in control leaves. Also higher, but not as dramatic, were 18:1 and 16:3 fatty acids. Several fatty acids, viz. 16:0, 18:0, and 18:3 declined in transgenic leaves. Changes in fatty acids were accompanied by changes in certain volatile compounds derived from fatty acids. On a percentage basis, most notable increases (>3-fold) were 1-hydroxy-2-butanone, 1-penten-3-ol, heptanal, 3-hexen-1-ol, 2-octanol,cis-3-hexenal, hexanal and 2-nonenal. Several flavor compounds not known to be biochemically derived from fatty acids, viz. 2-ethyl-furan, 5-ethyl-2-[5H]-furanone, eugenol, and 2-ethylthiophene also showed sharp increases in transgenic leaves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 59 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / Q000235:genetics; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D013230:Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase