Ethane and ethylene formation by mitochondria as indication of aerobic lipid degradation in response to wounding of plant tissue.

During aerobic incubation of potato slices or potato mitochondria at acidic pH, ethane and ethylene in a ratio of approx. 50 : 1 are generated from an endogenous substrate. Both ethane and ethylene production are stimulated by the addition of alpha-linolenic acid. Ethane formation from linolenic acid is a radical mechanism dependent on oxygen and is not significantly influenced by mitochondrial electron transport. Ethane production may represent a sensitive marker for membrane damage.