Effects of lipoxygenase inhibitors on the formation of volatile compounds in wheat

An inhibitor of lipoxygenase, acetonylacetone bis-phenylhydrazone (AABPH), markedly reduced the formation of the major volatile C₆ products isolated by reduced pressure steam distillation-hexane extraction of wheat plant homogenates. The compound was active on plant extracts containing lipoxygenase activity and completely inhibited activity at a concentration of 2.5 μM. Two other lipoxygenase inhibitors, phenidone and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, were not as active as AABPH. Linoleate added prior to homogenization increased the quantities of certain lipoxygenase derived volatiles, whereas heat treatment caused a marked reduction in the production of all volatile compounds.