Studies on the Relationship Between Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Related Enzymes in Litchi Pericarp

Changes in the level of anthocyanin and the activities of enzymes of anthocyanin biosynthesis including plenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone ismoerase (CHI), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) and UDP glucose-flavonoid-3- o-glycosyltranfe-rase (UFGT) were studied in the pericarp of litchi cv. Feizixiao. Bagging and growth regulator dipping treatments were conducted to manipulate anthocyanin synthesis and the activities of related enzymes. The results demonstrated that among these enzymes UFGT was closely related to the synthesis of anthocyanin and probably was the limiting factor regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi pericarp. The activity of UFGT was in parallel with the changes of anthocyanin concentration. Bagging treatment inhibited the activity of UFGT as well as anthocyanin synthesis, whereas debagging enhanced both the activities of UFGT and anthocyanin synthesis. 6-BA dipping inhibited the synthesis of anthocyanin as well as the activity of UFGT, while ABA and jasmonic acid dipping accelerated the synthesis of anthocyanin paralleled the increase of the activity of UFGT.