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Anatomy, histochemistry and biochemistry of glucovanillin, oleoresin and mucilage accumulation sites in green mature vanilla pod (Vanilla planifolia; Orchidaceae): a comprehensive and critical reexamination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2009

Eric Odoux  and
Jean-Marc Brillouet
Eric Odoux
Affiliation:
CIRAD, Persyst, UMR Qualisud, TA B-95 / 16, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Jean-Marc Brillouet
Affiliation:
CIRAD, Persyst, UMR Qualisud, TA B-95 / 16, F-34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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Abstract

Introduction. Mature green vanilla pods accumulate 4-O-(3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-β-D-glucoside (glucovanillin), which, upon hydrolysis by an endogenous β-glucosidase, liberates vanillin, the major aroma component of vanilla. Sites of storage of glucovanillin in the pod have been controversially reported for decades; we aim, using precise and widely accepted technical terminology, to clarify this controversy by providing an anatomical, histochemical and biochemical evidence-based picture of glucovanillin accumulation sites. The pod also synthesizes an oleoresin and a mucilage of unknown constitutions; we report here their localization and structures. Materials and methods. The pod anatomy was examined by light and epifluorescence microscopy. A protocol was established allowing fine hand-dissection of diverse anatomical parts of the pod (mesocarp, placentae, trichomes, intralocular interstitial cell-free region and seeds). Glucovanillin and γ-pyranones were extracted and analyzed by HPLC, while the structures of the mucilaginous polysaccharides were determined after permethylation. Results and discussion. Glucovanillin is essentially stored in the placentae (92%) and marginally in trichomes (7%); traces were measured in the mesocarp and intralocular interstitial cell-free medium. Trichomes store massive amounts of a fluorescing oleoresin (44%) rich in alkenylmethyldihydro-γ-pyranones and synthesize a mucilage made of a glucomannan and a pectic polysaccharide carrying monomeric arabinose and galactose side-chains. Conclusion. To date, the physiological roles of glucovanillin, long-chain pyranones, and mucilage remain unknown.

Keywords

FranceVanilla planifoliaOrchidaceaevanillatrichomesvanillinoleoresinsfluorescencemucilagespolysaccharidesFranceVanilla planifoliaOrchidaceaevanilletrichomevanillineoléorésinefluorescencemucilagepolyoside
Type
Research Article
Information
Fruits , Volume 64 , Issue 4 , July 2009 , pp. 221 - 241
Copyright
© CIRAD, EDP Sciences, 2009

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