Regulatory Role of N-lauroylethanolamine on Microsomal Membrane Composition and Function in Petals of Carnation During the Blossoming and Senescence

ZHANG Yun1, 2, GUO Wei-ming3, CHEN Fa-di3, HAN Liang4, LI Zheng-ming4 (1College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095; 2Department of Biochemistry, Fujian Institute of Education, Fuzhou 350001; 3College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095; 4National Key Laboratory of Elemento-organic Chemistry/Research Institute of Elemento-organic Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071)

N-lauroylethanolamine; Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.); Senescence; Microsomal membrance; Membrane composition; Membrane function

【Objective】The objective of this study was to explore the mechanism of N-lauroylethanolamine [NAE (12:0)] in regulation of cut-flower senescence.【Method】Cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cv. Red Barbara treated with 5 μmol·L-1 NAE(12:0) was used to investigate the effects of NAE (12:0) on the microsomal membranes composition and function in petals. 【Result】Phospholipids content, lipid fluidity, the index of unsaturation of fatty acids and activities of membrane enzymes decreased with time, and NAE (12:0) supplementation delayed the decreases of the above mentioned parameters at the stage from the end of blooming to the onset of wilting. Electrolyte leakage, a reliable indicator of petal senescence, was also postponed in NAE (12:0)-treated flowers【.Conclusion】The data suggest that the mechanism of NAE (12:0) in the regulation of cut-flower senescence is involved in the regulation of NAE (12:0) on the degradation of phospholipids and changes of the fatty acid composition of microsomal membranes, which resulting in the less ion leakage, more lipid fluidity and higher activities of membrane enzymes, and thus, delaying the initial wilting of cut carnation.