Uptake and metabolism of vitamins e and k by pea stem sections.

The uptake of alpha-tocopherol and vitamin K(1) by pea stem sections is described. Vitamin K(1) appears to be stable within the plant tissue and is found distributed in all particulate cell fractions following uptake. Only a small proportion of the tocopherol taken up is recoverable and the majority of the compound appears to undergo catabolism.The oxidation of tocopherols by a cell-free system is described. This system requires oxygen and appears to involve enzyme activity but does not appear to be linked with the action of lipoxidase.