温度和气体成分对冬枣果实贮藏期间品质的影响

主要探讨冬枣(Ziziphus jujuba Mill.cv Dongzao)在-1℃的动态气调(CA-Ⅰ,70%O2 0%CO2处理7天,然后转入5%O2 0%CO2中)、普通气调(CA-Ⅱ,5%O2 0%CO2;CA-Ⅲ,10%O2 0%CO2)及普通冷藏和常温(25℃)等条件下,果实发病率、色素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、乙醇和乙酸乙酯含量等的变化.结果表明:与普通冷藏相比,气调贮藏能减缓果实的腐烂,抑制色素的分解和减少果肉中乙醇、乙酸乙酯的含量.动态高氧处理能有效地保持果实的颜色,抑制色素降解及果皮褐变.CA-Ⅲ(10%O2 0%CO2)能有效地减少果肉乙醇的含量而CA-Ⅱ(5%O2 0%CO2)能有效地减少果肉乙酸乙酯的含量.气调贮藏的果实可滴定酸及可溶性固形物含量与其他处理的果实没有明显的差异.     

1-MCP和CO2对‘南果梨’冷藏后货架期能量代谢特性的影响

分别对‘南果梨’果实采用0.75μL/L 1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)在20℃熏蒸20h后装入保鲜袋(0.02mm)、用2%CO2充气果实包装袋(0.04mm)、以保鲜袋果实为对照,各处理组果实均置于(0±1)℃贮藏5个月后移至室温下(18℃±3℃),测定各处理果实在货架期间的褐变度以及果实线粒体蛋白含量、MDA含量、ATP含量,以明确1-MCP和CO2对南果梨冷藏后果实货架期的能量代谢特性。结果显示:(1)1-MCP和CO2处理可不同程度延缓南果梨冷藏后货架期果实果心褐变指数和褐变度,且1-MCP处理效果更好,但CO2处理在货架后期反而使果实褐变度较对照提高。(2)1-MCP和CO2处理可有效抑制果实MDA含量增加,延缓细胞膜透性的升高,保持细胞完整性。(3)1-MCP处理有利于提高货架前期果实中线粒体蛋白质含量,能够在货架后期保持较高的ATP含量和能荷水平,而CO2处理在货架前期果实内含有较高水平的ATP,促进了果实内的能荷水平。研究发现,1-MCP和CO2处理均可以通过影响南果梨果实的能量代谢特性从而影响果实的成熟衰老进程,且1-MCP处理可以抑制货架前期的ATP含量和能量供应,有利于保持细胞膜完整性,抑制果心褐变的发生,延缓果实成熟衰老进程;而2%CO2处理与对照相比对果实能量代谢特性的影响不大。     

高O2或高CO2浓度气调贮藏对"那翁"甜樱桃采后生理和贮藏性的影响

研究了甜樱桃品种"那翁" ( Prunus avium L. cv. Napoleon)在1 ℃的高O2 浓度气调(CA-I: 70% O2+0% CO2)、高CO2 浓度气调 (CA-II: 5% O2+10% CO2)、自发气调 (modified atmosphere package, MAP) 和普通冷藏条件下果实生理、品质、耐藏性的变化.结果表明:与其他处理相比,高O2 浓度的气调可以抑制果实腐烂、减少果肉中乙醇含量,但果实的丙二醛(MDA)含量迅速上升、褐变严重.高CO2浓度的气调能有效抑制MDA含量上升的速率和多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性,保持果实硬度和维生素C含量,减少果实腐烂和褐变,延长贮藏寿命.不同处理对果实可溶性固形物含量的影响不大."那翁" 甜樱桃在5% O2+10% CO2气调中贮藏80 d能保持果实固有的风味品质.在MAP下, 70% O2+0% CO2和普通冷藏中的适宜贮藏期分别为40 d、20 d和30 d.     

O2和CO2配比对气调贮藏梨采后褐变及相关理化因子的影响

以采后'丰水'梨果实为材料,在乐扣气调试验箱中研究了O2和CO2配比对果实褐变率、多酚氧化酶(PPO)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)和总酚含量的影响,以探讨适宜减轻梨气藏褐变的气体成份.结果表明:在整个贮藏过程(150 d)中,'丰水'梨果肉未发生褐变.从贮藏60 d开始,气调处理和冷藏对照果实的果皮均出现褐变,气调处理在贮藏120 d之前对果皮褐变的影响不显著,而在贮藏120～150 d内可显著减轻果皮的褐变、抑制果皮PPO和POD活性及降低总酚含量.与冷藏对照相比,气调处理可推迟果心褐变的时间,且(8%～10%)O2+3% CO2处理可完全抑制果心的褐变;气调处理亦可降低果心PPO活性、减少总酚及MDA含量;(8%～10%)O2+1% CO2处理能够显著提高果心的POD活性,而(8%～10%)O2+3% CO2处理对果实POD活性的影响不显著.可见,气调贮藏主要是通过降低'丰水'梨果皮PPO、POD活性及总酚含量来减轻组织的褐变,并以(8%～10%)O2+3% CO2处理对果实褐变因子的控制效果较理想.     

高O2或高CO2浓度气调贮藏对“那翁”甜樱桃采后生理和贮藏性的影响

研究了甜樱桃品种“那翁”（Prunus avium L.cv.Napoleon)在1℃的高O2浓度气调（CA－1：70％ O2＋0％,CO2）,高CO2浓度气调（CA－II：5％ O2＋10％ CO2）,自发气调（modified atmosphere package,MAP)和普通冷藏条件下果实生理,品质,耐藏性的变化,结果表明：与其他处理相比,高O2浓度的气调可以抑制果实腐烂,减少果肉中乙醇含量,但果实的丙二醛（MDA）含量迅速上升,褐变严重,高CO2浓度的气调能有效抑制MDA含量上升的速率和多酚氧化酶（PPO）活性,保持果实硬度和维生素C含量,减少果实腐烂和褐变,延长贮藏寿命,不同处理对果实可溶性固形物含量的影响不大。“那翁”甜樱桃在5％ O2＋10％ CO2气调中贮藏80d能保持果实固有的风味品质。在MAP下,70％O2＋0％CO2和普通冷藏中的适宜贮藏期分别为40d,20d和30d。     

CO2和1-MCP组合处理对磨盘柿贮藏效果的影响

以磨盘柿采后果实为材料,研究1-MCP的处理以及CO2脱涩与1-MCP组合处理对磨盘柿室温和0~1℃贮藏过程中果实硬度、可溶性单宁含量、总抗坏血酸(TAA)含量以及抗氧化活性的影响。结果显示:(1)贮藏过程中柿果实硬度随时间延长呈下降趋势,室温贮藏CO2处理5 d、CO2处理后进行1-MCP(CO2//1-MCP)处理10 d、1-MCP处理后进行CO2(1-MCP//CO2)处理15 d、CO2与1-MCP同时(CO2+1-MCP)处理30 d均完全软化,0~1℃贮藏75 d后硬度最高的是CO2+1-MCP处理(12.43 kg.cm-2),最低的是CO2//1-MCP处理(2.80 kg.cm-2),甚至低于CO2处理(5.71 kg.cm-2);(2)柿果实可溶性单宁和总抗坏血酸(TAA)含量与脱涩有关,CO2处理、CO2//1-MCP处理、1-MCP//CO2处理和CO2+1-MCP处理大幅低于CK和1-MCP处理,1-MCP处理抑制了可溶性单宁和TAA含量的下降;(3)室温贮藏中除CO2处理之外的处理柿果实总酚含量呈小幅上升趋势,0~1℃贮藏中CK、1-MCP处理、1-MCP//CO2处理和CO2+1-MCP处理的总酚含量稳定在9.91~12.38 mg.g-1FW之间,CO2处理和CO2//1-MCP处理于30 d之后迅速下降,至75 d时分别只有6.83和6.32 mg.g-1FW;(4)各组处理柿果实ABTS自由基清除能力和氧自由基清除能力值(ORAC)的变化趋势与总酚含量大致相当。研究发现,1-MCP能有效阻止磨盘柿果实贮藏期间的硬度、可溶性单宁含量、TAA含量以及抗氧化活性的下降,CO2脱涩与1-MCP处理的不同顺序对硬度和抗氧化活性影响巨大,但对可溶性单宁和TAA含量影响甚微;先CO2脱涩后1-MCP处理对磨盘柿贮藏效应影响不大,1-MCP处理和高浓度CO2脱涩同时进行是磨盘柿脱涩保鲜的最优方案。     

丁香精油对冷藏冬枣果实腐烂及诱导抗病相关酶活性的影响

对不同浓度丁香精油处理冬枣果实在0℃贮藏期间(60d)及藏后25℃货架期(5d)的果实腐烂率、诱导抗病相关酶活性和总酚含量的变化特征进行分析,以探索丁香精油抑制冬枣果实腐烂与抗病性诱导的关系。结果表明:丁香精油处理能有效抑制冬枣贮藏期果实腐烂的发生,提高其苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性,诱导总酚含量的增加。经丁香精油处理冬枣果实在贮藏60d后25℃货架期5d时的腐烂指数得到明显下降,同时保持了较高的苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶活性和总酚含量,并以0.50%丁香精油处理的效果最显著,其贮藏后货架期的果实腐烂指数较对照下降了45.5%。可见,丁香精油抑制贮藏冬枣果实的腐烂与抗病相关酶活性的升高密切相关,抗病性诱导是丁香精油处理抑制冬枣采后果实腐烂的重要原因之一。     

甜柿采后生理特性及对1-MCP处理的反应

以甜柿品种‘阳丰’为材料,在20℃和0℃贮藏条件下研究了1-MCP(1-甲基环丙烯)处理对不同成熟度甜柿果实采后乙烯释放速率、呼吸速率和品质特性的影响。结果表明:1-MCP处理可延缓贮藏和货架期间甜柿果实的软化、抑制呼吸速率和可溶性固形物含量(SSC)的变化,但对乙烯释放速率的作用不一致。1-MCP处理对成熟度I果实的效果优于成熟度Ⅱ。低温贮藏虽然能显著延缓果实硬度的下降,但在0℃贮藏30、60和90 d后7 d货架期结束时,对照果完全软化,而经1-MCP处理后果实果肉硬度仍保持“脆”性。因此,贮前0.50μL.L-11-MCP处理结合低温贮藏是延长‘阳丰’甜柿贮藏期的有效途径,具有广泛的应用前景。     

冷藏方式对桃采后果胶含量和β-半乳糖苷酶活性的影响

以采后包装和不包装的'大久保'桃果实为材料,分别测定了其在8℃冷藏(A)、8℃冷藏10 d后转入0℃贮藏(B)和0℃冷藏(C)方式下的硬度、出汁率、果胶含量和β-半乳糖苷酶活性的变化.结果表明:在A、B冷藏方式下,包装较不包装处理显著抑制了果实的硬度下降、原果胶含量减少和可溶性果胶含量增加,降低了果实出汁率和β-gal活性;与冷藏期比较,货架期后冷藏方式A和B果实表现为硬度下降、原果胶含量减少、可溶性果胶含量增加,以及出汁率和β-gal活性升高.与冷藏方式A和B比较,冷藏方式C果实的硬度和原果胶含量较高,出汁率和可溶性果胶含量较低;货架期后,不包装的果实硬度和原果胶含量增加,可溶性果胶含量和β-gal活性降低,但包装处理却能减缓上述现象的发生.研究表明,桃采后用30 μm聚乙烯袋包装、于8℃冷藏10 d后转入0℃贮藏处理,能使桃果实在贮藏期保持较低的可溶性果胶含量和较高的原果胶含量和出汁率,并能使桃在货架期正常后熟软化,是贮藏桃的一种较好方式.     

温度和气体成分对冬枣果实贮藏期间品质的影响

主要探讨冬枣(Ziziphus jujuba Mill. cv Dongzao)在-1 C的动态气调(CA-Ⅰ, 70% O2 0% CO2处理7天,然后转入5% O2 0% CO2中)、普通气调(CA-II, 5% O2 0% CO2;CA-III, 10% O2 0% CO2)及普通冷藏和常温(25C)等条件下,果实发病率、色素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、乙醇和乙酸乙酯含量等的变化。结果表明:与普通冷藏相比,气调贮藏能减缓果实的腐烂,抑制色素的分解和减少果肉中乙醇、乙酸乙酯的含量。动态高氧处理能有效地保持果实的颜色,抑制色素降解及果皮褐变。CA-Ⅲ (10% O2 0% CO2)能有效地减少果肉乙醇的含量而CA-Ⅱ(5% O2 0% CO2)能有效地减少果肉乙酸乙酯的含量。气调贮藏的果实可滴定酸及可溶性固形物含量与其他处理的果实没有明显的差异。     

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and/or O3 on intra- and interspecific competitive ability of aspen

Three model communities of trembling aspen (monoculture, and mixed with either paper birch or sugar maple) were grown for seven years in elevated atmospheric CO(2) and O(3) using Free Air CO(2) Enrichment (FACE) technology. We utilized trends in species' importance, calculated as an index of volume growth and survival, as indications of shifting community composition. For the pure aspen communities, different clones emerged as having the highest change in relative importance values depending on the pollutant exposure. In the control and elevated CO(2) treatments, clone 42E was rapidly becoming the most successful clone while under elevated O(3), clone 8 L emerged as the dominant clone. In fact, growth of clone 8 L was greater in the elevated O(3) treatment compared to controls. For the mixed aspen-birch community, importance of aspen and birch changed by - 16 % and + 62 %, respectively, in the controls. In the treatments, however, importance of aspen and birch changed by - 27 % and + 87 %, respectively, in elevated O(3), and by - 10 % and + 45 %, respectively, in elevated CO(2). Thus, the presence of elevated O(3) hastened conversion of stands to paper birch, whereas the presence of elevated CO(2) delayed it. Relative importance of aspen and maple changed by - 2 % and + 3 %, respectively, after seven years in the control treatments. But in elevated O(3), relative importance of aspen and maple changed by - 2 % and + 5 %, respectively, and in elevated CO(2) by + 9 and - 20 %, respectively. Thus, elevated O(3) slightly increases the rate of conversion of aspen stands to sugar maple, but maple is placed at a competitive disadvantage to aspen under elevated CO(2).     

Changes in Ethylene Production and 1-Aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid Levels in Climacteric Apple Fruits Ralls under Low O2 and High CO2

Ethylene production was severely inhibited in climacteric applefruits treated with either low O2(O2 :1–3%, CO2: 0%)or high CO2(O2:15–21%, CO2:10–20%) for 4, 10, and 15 days, respectively. In treatment with low O2 for 10 or 15days, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was accumulated in large quantity,but in the fruit treated with high CO2, the content of ACC was slightly lower than thatin control fruit. When the fruit was turned to air after 4-days treatment with low O2, ethylene production and ACC content were able to recover to control level. But in the fruits withlow O2 for 10 or 15 days ethylene production was 100 times lower, and ACC contentwas much higher than those in control even 30-35 days after they were turned to air. It appears that inhibitory effect of the low O2 treatment for longer than 10 days on theconversion of ACC to ethylene was irreversible. In the case of high CO2 treatment fordifferent periods ethylene production obviously decreased at first, then followed by arapid increase. When the fruits were turned to air ethylene production in the treat-ment for 4 days was able to recover to control level, but it remained much lower in tre-atment for 10 or 15 days than that in control throughout the period of recovery. However, ACC contents in both treatments were slightly lower than those in control during a few days after the removal of treatment, but increased slightly after 2-3 weeks.Furthemore, the ability of flesh discs to convert exogenous ACC to ethylene was redu-ced remarkably by the treatment of fruits with either low O2 or high CO2 for longerthan 10 days.     

Combination of antagonistic yeasts with two food additives for control of brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola on sweet cherry fruit

AIMS: To evaluate beneficial effect of two food additives, ammonium molybdate (NH4-Mo) and sodium bicarbonate (NaBi), on antagonistic yeasts for control of brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola in sweet cherry fruit under various storage conditions. The mechanisms of action by which food additives enhance the efficacy of antagonistic yeasts were also evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biocontrol activity of Pichia membranefaciens and Cryptococcus laurentii against brown rot in sweet cherry fruit was improved by addition of 5 mmol l(-1) NH4-Mo or 2% NaBi when stored in air at 20 and 0 degrees C, and in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with 10% O2 + 10% CO2 at 0 degrees C. Population dynamics of P. membranefaciens in the wounds of fruit were inhibited by NH4-Mo at 20 degrees C after 1 day of incubation and growth of C. laurentii was inhibited by NH4-Mo at 0 degrees C in CA storage after 60 days. In contrast, NaBi did not significantly influence growth of the two yeasts in fruit wounds under various storage conditions except that the growth of P. membranefaciens was stimulated after storage for 45 days at 0 degrees C in CA storage. When used alone, the two additives showed effective control of brown rot in sweet cherry fruit and the efficacy was closely correlated with the concentrations used. The result of in vitro indicated that growth of M. fructicola was significantly inhibited by NH4-Mo and NaBi. CONCLUSION: Application of additives improved biocontrol of brown rot on sweet cherry fruit under various storage conditions. It is postulated that the enhancement of disease control is directly because of the inhibitory effects of additives on pathogen growth, and indirectly because of the relatively little influence of additives on the growth of antagonistic yeasts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results obtained in this study suggest that an integration of NH4-Mo or NaBi with biocontrol agents has great potential in commercial management of postharvest diseases of fruit.     

O2、ACC和CO2对番木瓜ACC氧化酶活性的影响

研究了番木瓜果皮l-氨基环丙烷-l-羧酸(ACC)氧化酶的部分纯化,底物(O2和ACC)浓度、辅助因子(CO2和Fe2+)和抑制剂(Co2+和α-氨基异丁酸)对体外乙烯产生速率的影响.通过DEAE-Sepharose和Phenyl-Sepharose柱层析后,番木瓜果皮ACC氧化酶被纯化了19.5倍.在乙烯产生中,ACC氧化酶对O2的Km值主要取决于ACC的浓度,随着ACC水平的增加而下降;当O2的浓度增加时,酶对ACC的Km值降低.CO2显著地增加酶的活性以及对O2和ACC的Km值.Fe2+提高酶的活性,Co2+抑制酶的活性;Fe2+能够拮抗Co2+对酶活性的抑制作用.这些动力学资料表明ACC氧化酶遵循一种顺序结合机制,首先与02结合,然后与ACC结合.     

Roles of CO2, O2, and acid in arteriovenous [H+] difference during muscle contractions

To determine the origins of the arteriovenous [H+] difference of muscle during contractions, arterial and muscle venous blood sample pairs were taken before and after 0.5, 5.0, and 30.0 min of 4/s isometric twitches of the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscle group of anesthetized dogs. These samples were analyzed for PO2, PCO2, and pH, the concentrations of O2, CO2, K+, Na+, La-, and Cl- in whole blood, and La-, K+, Na+, and Cl- in plasma. Whole blood was hemolyzed and analyzed for PO2, PCO2, and pH. Net O2 uptake, CO2 output, L, K+, Na+, and Cl- were calculated in addition to net output of non-CO2 acid (HA) and strong ion difference ([SID]) and common ion [SID] ([K+] + [Na+] - [Cl-] - [La-]). From these data we partitioned the origins of the arteriovenous [H+] difference via the common PCO2-pH diagram and via a [H+]-PCO2 diagram and determined whether true plasma arteriovenous [H+] differences reflect plasma and cell arteriovenous [H+] differences. The arteriovenous [H+] differences of plasma and hemolyzed blood were the same, showing that true plasma does reflect plasma and cells. K+ showed a small significant but transient output. Na+ was not significant, whereas Cl- showed a significant transient uptake. Lactate output and HA, calculated for dog blood acid-base, showed transient outputs and were the same. At 5.0 min when the arteriovenous difference was largest, CO2 alone would have increased [H+] 15.9 nmol/l whereas desaturation of Hb would have decreased [H+] 4.2 nmol/l and lactate could have raised [H+] 1.0 nmol/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Optical properties of developing pip and stone fruit reveal underlying structural changes

Analyzing the optical properties of fruits represents a powerful approach for non‐destructive observations of fruit development. With classical spectroscopy in the visible and near‐infrared wavelength ranges, the apparent attenuation of light results from its absorption or scattering. In horticultural applications, frequently, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is employed to reduce the effects of varying scattering properties on the apparent signal. However, this simple approach appears to be limited. In the laboratory, with time‐resolved reflectance spectroscopy, the absorption coefficient, μ_a, and the reduced scattering coefficient, μ_s′, can be analyzed separately. In this study, these differentiated optical properties were recorded (540–940 nm), probing fruit tissue from the skin up to 2 cm depth in apple (Malus × domestica ‘Elstar’) and plum (Prunus domestica ‘Tophit plus’) harvested four times (65–145 days after full bloom). The μ_a spectra showed typical peak at 670 nm of the chlorophyll absorption. The μ_s′ at 670 nm in apple changed by 14.7% (18.2–15.5 cm^?1), while in plum differences of 41.5% (8.5–5.0 cm^?1) were found. The scattering power, the relative change of μ_s′, was zero in apple, but enhanced in plum over the fruit development period. This mirrors more isotropic and constant structures in apple compared with plum. For horticultural applications, the larger variability in scattering properties of plum explains the discrepancy between commercially assessed NDVI values or similar indices and the absolute μ_a values in plum (R < 0.05), while the NDVI approach appeared reasonable in apple (R ≥ 0.80).     

短波紫外线照射对‘金都’火龙果采后保鲜的影响

以‘金都’火龙果(Hylocereus polyrhizus ‘Jindu’)果实为试材,采用波长254 nm紫外杀菌灯为辐射源,给予不同剂量短波紫外线(Ultraviolet-C,UV-C)照射处理,探讨低剂量UV-C对火龙果采后保鲜的影响及作用机理。结果表明,不同剂量UV-C照射处理能有效抑制‘金都’火龙果果实腐烂和电导率上升,降低果实TSS含量,其中1.0 kJ·m–2紫外线辐照效果最好。1.0 kJ·m–2 UV-C处理能极显著提高贮藏期火龙果的SOD和CAT活性,显著提高贮藏早中期的几丁质酶活性和PPO活性,β-1,3葡聚糖酶活性在贮藏后期也显著高于对照,但降低了火龙果贮藏中期(第6天)的POD活性。此外,1.0 kJ·m–2 UV-C处理显著提高火龙果贮藏期H2O2含量(除第6天外),对果实的失水率无影响。采后火龙果应用适当剂量UV-C照射可提高抗病性,延长贮藏保鲜期。     

Anthocyanin, antioxidant activity and stress-induced gene expression in high CO2-treated table grapes stored at low temperature

A pretreatment with 20kPa CO2+20 kPa O2+60 kPa N2 for 3 days proved effective in maintaining the fruit quality and controlling decay in table grapes (Vitis vinifera cv. Cardinal) stored at 0 degrees C. In the present work, we analyzed whether total anthocyanin content, the molecular mechanism implicated in their biosynthesis and antioxidant activity is related to the beneficial effect of this gaseous treatment. We isolated partial cDNAs that codified for enzymes implicated in the anthocyanin biosynthesis such as l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS), and an antioxidant enzyme such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Low temperatures induced an accumulation of total anthocyanin content in the skin of both treated and non-treated grapes, although levels were lower in CO2-treated fruit. By contrast, antioxidant activity decreased during storage at 0 degrees C in non-treated grapes but did not change in CO2-treated grapes. The up-regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis gene expression and VcAPX mRNA observed in non-treated grape is not enhanced in CO2-treated grapes, which presented low total decay. These results point out the ability of CO2-treated grapes to prevent the generation of reactive oxygen species rather than their inactivation by means of induction of studied defense systems.     

Prebiotic synthesis in atmospheres containing CH4, CO,and CO2

The prebiotic synthesis of organic compounds using a spark discharge on various simulated primitive earth atmospheres at 25 degrees C has been studied. Methane mixtures contained H2 + CH4 + H2O + N2 + NH3 with H2/CH4 molar ratios from 0 to 4 and pNH3 = 0.1 torr. A similar set of experiments without added NH3 was performed. The yields of amino acids (1.2 to 4.7% based on the carbon) are approximately independent of the H2/CH4 ratio and whether NH3 was present, and a wide variety of amino acids are obtained. Mixtures of H2 + CO + H2O + N2 and H2 + CO2 + H2O + N2, with and without added NH3, all gave about 2% yields of amino acids at H2/CO and H2/CO2 ratios of 2 to 4. For a H2/CO2 ratio of 0, the yield of amino acids is extremely low (10(-3)%). Glycine is almost the only amino acid produced from CO and CO2 model atmospheres. These results show that the maximum yield is about the same for the three carbon sources at high H2/carbon ratios, but that CH4 is superior at low H2/carbon ratios. In addition, CH4 gives a much greater variety of amino acids than either CO or CO2. If it is assumed that an abundance of amino acids more complex than glycine was required for the origin of life, then these results indicate the requirement for CH4 in the primitive atmosphere.