The potential of L-methionine and ethylene as precursors of aerobic methane emissions from plants

Abstract

Earlier work has shown that plants emit aerobic methane, but it is unclear how this occurs on a metabolic level. The goal of this thesis is to determine the effects of ethylene on methane emissions, and to examine the potential of L-Methionine as a unique precursor. In addition to measurements of methane and ethylene, growth and physiological parameters were measured in addition to a metabolite profile to measure the content of 13 amino acids. While application of ethylene promoters and inhibitors had no effect on methane, high light decreased emissions whereas blue light increased them, and exogenous ethylene application significantly increased emissions. Relationships were shown between multiple amino acids and aerobic methane, suggesting that methionine is not a unique precursor. Experimental evaluation suggests that methane emissions were the product of reactive oxygen species-mediated methyl group cleavage from a number of compounds.