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Environ Sci Technol

Title:		Gas phase measurements of pyruvic acid and its volatile metabolites
Author(s):		Jardine KJ; Sommer ED; Saleska SR; Huxman TE; Harley PC; Abrell L;
Address:		"The University of Arizona-Biosphere 2, Tucson, Arizona 85738, USA. jardine@email.arizona.edu"
Journal Title:		Environ Sci Technol
Year:		2010
Volume:		44
Issue:		7
Page Number:		2454 - 2460
DOI:		10.1021/es903544p
ISSN/ISBN:		0013-936X (Print) 0013-936X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Pyruvic acid, central to leaf carbon metabolism, is a precursor of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that impact air quality and climate. Although the pathways involved in the production of isoprenoids are well-known, those of several oxygenated VOCs remain uncertain. We present concentration and flux measurements of pyruvic acid and other VOCs within the tropical rainforest (TRF) biome at Biosphere 2. Pyruvic acid concentrations varied diurnally with midday maxima up to 15 ppbv, perhaps due to enhanced production rates and suppression of mitochondrial respiration in the light. Branch fluxes and ambient concentrations of pyruvic acid correlated with those of acetone, acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetic acid, isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. While pyruvic acid is a known substrate for isoprenoid synthesis, this correlation suggests that the oxygenated VOCs may also derive from pyruvic acid, an idea supported by leaf feeding experiments with sodium pyruvate which resulted in large enhancements in emissions of both isoprenoids and oxygenated VOCs. While feeding with sodium pyruvate-2-(13)C resulted in large emissions of both (13)C-labeled isoprenoids and oxygenated VOCs, feeding with sodium pyruvate-1-(13)C resulted in only (13)C-labeled isoprenoids. This suggests that acetaldehyde, ethanol, and acetic acid are produced from pyruvic acid via the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) bypass system (in which the 1-C carbon of pyruvic acid is lost as CO(2)) and that acetone is also derived from the decarboxylation of pyruvic acid"
Keywords:		"Carbon Isotopes Chemistry Techniques, Analytical/*methods Ecosystem Gases/*analysis Mangifera/metabolism Photosynthesis Plant Leaves/metabolism Pyruvic Acid/*analysis Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis Volatilization;"
Notes:		"MedlineJardine, Kolby J Sommer, Evan D Saleska, Scott R Huxman, Travis E Harley, Peter C Abrell, Leif eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2010/03/10 Environ Sci Technol. 2010 Apr 1; 44(7):2454-60. doi: 10.1021/es903544p"