Tissue disintegration

Such observations led to the hypothesis that regulated expression of PL3 in transgenic potatoes could contribute to enhanced tissue disintegration during storage or thermal treatment. This report addresses the properties of several independent transgenic potato plant lines that express PL3, either constitutively or tuber-specific. We also describe the results obtained following application of Erwinia bacteria to wounded potato tubers. 

In order to obtain a better understanding of the processes that regulate tissue disintegration, additional experiments will include the heterologous expression in potato tubers of a secreted PL3 isoform. 

Decomposition is a complex process whereby the soft tissues disintegrate until skeletonization is achieved. The chemical process has been discussed extensively in previous chapters and will not be referred to here. The relationship of taphonomy to decomposition and the determination of postmortem interval is best summarized using the model proposed by Micozzi (1991) (Table 9.1). 

Under the influence of high temperature, the animal tissues disintegrate and release fat. The fat rises to the top of the vessel, leaving a layer of tankage (solids) and stick water in the bottom. Pressure is then slowly relieved and the fat-water interface is adjusted to coincide with a draw-off cock mounted on the vessel. The fat is drawn off and purified of water and solids by settling or by centrifuging. The fat may also be filtered. 

W Liese. Ultrastructural aspects of wood tissue disintegration. Ann Rev Phytopathol 8 231-258, 1970. 

How much the prolonged ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids might contribute to susceptibility to tissue disintegration is not known. Whether the change in the lipid structure of the intestinal mucosa is implicated is also not know n. On a coconut oil diet, the linoleic acid content of the fatty acids in the rat s stomach tissue was found to be approximately 5 % whereas in rats consuming corn oil the tissue lipids contained 40% linoleic acid, an eightfold increase. 

Tissue disintegration. This type of damage is associated with many of the root or foot rots and storage rots. The affected cells are broken down and release liquid (wet rot) or become dry and brittle (diy rot). 

The fennentor is filled with whole grapes under a blanket of carbon dioxide and kept at a moderate temperature (20-30°C) for 1-2 weeks. The atmosphere of the fermentor is then saturated with CO2 for 8-15 days. This is the pure carbonic maceration phase. Anaerobic metabolism reactions modify grape composition. Substances from the solid tissue disintegrated by anaerobio-sis are also diffnsed in the juice and the pulp. 

---