Stimulation of Wound Reactions in Potato Tubers by Thiabendazole

Thiabendazole (TBZ), an antifungal and antihelmintic benzimidazole derivative, after 6 min treatment with a 0.1 m M aqueous solution enhances C 0 2 release in intact potato tubers for up to two hours. There are also indications for a reduced water permeability of isolated periderm layers from TBZ treated potato tubers. Potato slices (ca. 3 mm thick) or discs (with ca. 5 mm diameter) from potato slices show enhanced ethane formation after TBZ treatment exhibiting maximal rates ca. two hours after treatment, indicating enhanced unsaturated fatty acid peroxidation. This lipid peroxidation is not enhanced by TBZ in potato homogenates or in isolated potato mitochondria. The results of this communication might partly explain macroscopically observable, preservative effects of treatment of freshly harvested potatoes by a stimulation of certain metabolic responses after mechanical wounding.