Conversion of C14-Labeled Acetate to Citric and Malic Acids in the Tomato Fruit

Abstract

Carboxyl Cl4-iabeled sodium acetate was injected into the locules of mature green tomatoes. Radioactivity appeared in the respiratory CO2, which accounted for 45% of the original amt. injected. Labeling also occurred in the protein and acid fractions isolated from the juice and tissue. Degradation of malic and citric acids showed only the carboxyl groups to be labeled. The relation of the data to the possibility of Krebs cycle operation in the tomato fruit are discussed.