Effect of down-regulation of ethylene biosynthesis on fruit flavor complex in apple fruit.

The role of ethylene in regulating sugar, acid, texture and volatile components of fruit quality was investigated in transgenic apple fruit modified in their capacity to synthesize endogenous ethylene. Fruit obtained from plants silenced for either ACS (ACC synthase; ACC-1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) or ACO (ACC oxidase), key enzymes responsible for ethylene biosynthesis, expectedly showed reduced autocatalytic ethylene production. Ethylene suppressed fruits were significantly firmer than controls and displayed an increased shelf-life.