L-ascorbic acid metabolism in an ascorbate-rich kiwifruit (Actinidia. Eriantha Benth.) cv. 'White' during postharvest.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha Benth.) 'White', a novel cultivar with higher L-ascorbic acid (AsA) level, is registered in China. Changes in AsA, related metabolites, enzymatic activity, and gene expression associated with AsA biosynthesis and recycling process were investigated in this paper. The results indicated that AsA biosynthesis through L-galactose pathway supplemented by D-galacturonic acid pathway and AsA recycling collectively contributed to accumulating and remaining higher AsA level in kiwifruit cv. 'White' during postharvest. Moreover, L-galactose dehydrogenase (GalDH) activity and relative expressions of the genes encoding GDP-D-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP), L-galactose-1-P phosphatase (GPP), GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP), GalDH and D-galacturonate reductase (GalUR) were important for regulation of AsA biosynthesis, and the activity and expression of dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) were primarily responsible for regulation of AsA recycling in kiwifruit 'White' during postharvest.