Starch-sugar interconversion inSolanum tuberosum L. II. Influence of membrane permeability and fluidity

A strong relationship was found between membrane permeability and starch to sugar conversion in stored potatoes. Tissue from tubers stored at low temperature had higher sugar content and more permeable membranes than from that of tubers stored at high temperature. Tubers, moisture stressed during growth and stored at 5.5 C, accumulated more reducing sugars and had more permeable membranes than tubers from normally irrigated plants when stored at the same temperature. The basal portion of Russet Burbank tubers accumulated more sugars and was also found to have significantly more permeable membranes than the apical portion. Examination of membrane order with spin-labeled lipid probes showed that the order parameter of amyloplast membranes was less at low temperatures than when measured at higher temperatures. Membranes examined with spin-labeled lipid probes from tubers stored at 5.5 C and 15.5 C showed similar order parameters at all temperatures measured between 0 and 25 C with a linear decrease in S values at higher temperatures. These results strongly indicate a physical change of membranes with changing temperature, thus influencing sugar accumulation, which is also reversible, as indicated by loss of sugars during the reconditioning process.