Abstract
Sap is a fluid which plant utilizes to maintain its homeostasis and transportation of water and nutrients throughout the xylem. Fresh birch exudate (Betula pendula) is crystal clear liquid at room temperature for several days. We found that the discoloration occurred in fresh birch sap in hourly pace when obtained by mechanical squeeze. Interestingly this discoloration did not occur in the sap from other wood species (spruce, Picea abies). This study especially focused on the color development in the squeezed sap by mechanical compression. Enzymatic oxidation by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was suspected as cause of the color development. N2 gas and conventional enzyme inhibitors, Na2SO3 and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were applied. Results showed that Na2SO3 was the most effective inhibitor compared to the others. Chemical characterization in birch and spruce xylem sap in different seasons were also conducted. Knowledge on the differences between squeezed and exuded sap is important since squeezing can be envisaged as a pre-treatment step for any process – such as a biorefinery – that utilizes biomass and has the privilege of accessing trees that have recently been felled.
| Original language | English |
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| Number of pages | 27 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Aug 2012 |
| MoE publication type | Not Eligible |
| Event | 51st Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America - The University of Western, London, Canada Duration: 11 Aug 2012 → 15 Aug 2012 |
Conference
| Conference | 51st Annual Meeting of the Phytochemical Society of North America |
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| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | London |
| Period | 11/08/12 → 15/08/12 |