Inhibition of somatic embryo maturation in Sitka spruce [Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.] by butylated hydroxytoluene, a volatile antioxidant released by parafilm.

Head-space volatiles above embryogenicPicea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. (Sitka spruce) tissues cultured in glass Petri dishes sealed with Parafilm M or cling-film, were captured on Tenax adsorption traps and analysed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Each sealing system released a single major compound into the head-space; butylated hydroxytoluene from Parafilm M and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol from cling-film. After two weeks sealed under Parafilm M butylated hydroxytoluene accumulated to 1.1 μg g(-1) FW in tissues and subsequent somatic embryo maturation was prevented. When butylated hydroxytoluene was supplied via the head-space (100 μg/250 ml flask) 0.5 μg g(-1) FW accumulated in tissues after two weeks and no somatic embryo maturation occurred. Potentially phytotoxic metabolites of butylated hydroxytoluene included a substituted stilbenequinone, butylated hydroxytoluene quinone methide and butylated hydroxytoluene dimer.