Research in Design

To develop an ethical architecture that unifies the art of design with the science of performance; a research ethic is a necessary prerequisite.     

INHIBITION OF β-GALACTOSIDASE OF APPLE BY FLAVONOIDS AND OTHER POLYPHENOLS

The inhibition of a purified β-galactosidase from "Spartan" apples by flavonoids and related compounds has been studied with a fluorimetric assay using the substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-galactoside. Certain flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids, and polyphenols (quercetin, fustin, rutin, p-coumaric acid, and catechol) gave classical noncompetitive inhibition at moderate substrate concentrations. Others (kaempferol, chlorogenic acid) gave nonlinear Dixon plots. The best inhibitors were flavones. In general, the degree of inhibition increased with the degree of hydroxylation and glycosylation of the phenol. Correlation of the structure of these substances with the observed inhibition suggests that the trans-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propenoyl group, common to 4'-hydroxyflavones and p-hydroxyphenolic acids, is important for effective inhibition.     

RESPONSE OF 'TOP RED DELICIOUS' APPLES TO DAMINOZIDE

Daminozide was applied at 2.2, 4.5, 6.7 or 9.0 kg/ha to ‘Top Red Delicious’ apple trees 86 days after full bloom the first year and at 2.2, 3.4 or 4.5 kg/ha, 80 days after full bloom the second year. At commercial harvest, after 2 and 4 months regular cold storage, and after 6 and 10 months of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage apples were evaluated for carbon dioxide, ethylene production, flesh firmness, external color, soluble solids, acids, subjective appearance and daminozide residue. Ethylene production was reduced as daminozide application was increased. Delay in onset of the climacteric ranged from 3 to 21 days depending on chemical rate used. Firmness, red color, acids, subjective appearance and number of days to reach climacteric were significantly improved by all rates of daminozide. Quality differences due to daminozide were evident following both types of storage. Daminozide residues were directly related to rate and did not dissipate during storage. There was no detectable daminozide carry-over in fruit from year to year.