Quantitative Analysis of Fructose Fate in a Plant Fermentation System

There is a need for studies on the fermented plant hairy root cultures to learn more about the consumption and production of carbohydrates, sucrose, glucose, and fructose trends during plant metabolism and growth in fermented and biological systems. The multivariant quantitative analysis of sugars was carried out using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer combined with a cylindrical internal reflection cell and a dedicated computer. Another analysis of the same samples was performed according to an enzymatic method. The obtained results were compared with the data of the spectrophotometry with very good agreement. Results achieved provide a new insight into the metabolism of cell cultures. The results demonstrate the possibility of analysis of fructose concentration in mixtures of glucose, sucrose, and various constituents of the media. Sucrose concentrations of 88 or 176 mM were diminished after 12 and 24 days, respectively, whereas glucose increased initially to reach maxima and fructose was building up steadily throughout the duration of study (28 days). The hairy roots were unable to consume fructose as assumed previously.