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Biosynthesis of (+)-Tartaric Acid from L-[4-¹⁴C]Ascorbic Acid in Grape and Geranium ¹

Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164

The metabolic fate of L-[4-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid has been examined in the grape (Vitis labrusca L.) and lemon geranium (Pelargonium crispum L. L'Hér. cv. Prince Rupert) under conditions comparable to data from L-[1-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid and L-[6-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid experiments. In detached grape leaves and immature berries, L-[4-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid and L-[1-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid were equivalent precursors to carboxyl labeled (+)-tartaric acid. In geranium apices, L-[4-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid yielded internal labeled (+)-tartaric acid while L-[6-¹⁴C]ascorbic acid gave an equivalent conversion to carboxyl labeled (+)-tartaric acid. These findings clearly show that two distinct processes for the synthesis of (+)-tartaric acid from L-ascorbic acid exist in plants identified as (+)-tartaric acid accumulators. In grape leaves and immature berries, (+)-tartaric acid synthesis proceeds via preservation of a four-carbon fragment derived from carbons 1 through 4 of L-ascorbic acid while carbons 3 through 6 yield (+)-tartaric acid in geranium apices.