Effects of some organic solvents on ethylene evolution from young cotton bolls.

The presence of promoter(s) of ethylene biosynthesis in young cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fruits (bolls) was demonstrated by injection of an aqueous extract from bolls into other bolls and measurement of a 3-fold increase in rate of ethylene evolution. Injection of methionine did not affect rate of ethylene production, indicating that the promoter extracted from bolls was not methionine. Injection of the ethoxy analog of rhizobitoxine inhibited ethylene production, indicating that methionine is a precursor of ethylene in cotton bolls. Injection of organic solvents altered membrane permeability, as indicated by decreased resistance to electric current at 1,000 Hz, and stimulated ethylene evolution. The less polar solvents caused large increases in ethylene evolution, major loss of resistance, and visible evidence of membrane damage. The results support the hypothesis that membrane integrity affects rate of ethylene biosynthesis.