POLYACETYLENE CONTENT AND UV-INDUCED 6-METHOXYMELLEIN ACCUMULATION IN CARROT CULTIVARS

The antifungal polyacetylenes falcarindiol and falcarinol, the production potential of the phytoalexin 6-methoxymellein (6-MM), and the carbohydrate profiles of five carrot cultivars were studied in order to assess variability in their content of these compounds as well as to determine the existence of any interrelationship among them. The polyacetylene content was measured in the peel of carrot roots shortly after harvest; the accumulation of 6-MM was measured in carrot slices incubated at 1-degrees-C after exposure to ultraviolet light (UV-C); and the carbohydrate content (glucose, fructose, sucrose and total non-structural), determined on whole carrots. Significant differences among the cultivars were noted in the content of polyacetylenes and 6-MM accumulation as well as in the carbohydrate constituents. The variation among the cultivars for the polyacetylene content and that for the accumulation of 6-MM were found to be independent of each other. The results suggest that cultivars with higher levels of antifungal compounds could be bred in order to improve their resistance to diseases. The carbohydrate profiles of the cultivars did not affect their production of 6-MM. Furthermore, 6-MM accumulation-UV dose response was similar for all the cultivars. Thus, a single dose of UV could be used to induce 6-MM in several cultivars of carrot.