This proposal addresses the feasibility of searching out a "tell- tale" protein of fruit maturation initiation. If positive the method will provide a totally new tool, based on a factor known to be primary to maturation, with which the orchardist, the storage operator and even the seller could determine the onset of ripening. This tool could markedly reduce costs of storage and reduce losses. The overall goal of Phase I research will be to produce polyclonal antibodies to malic enzyme and post initiation protein No. 5. These antibodies could be used to develop an immunoassay during Phase II which detects or quantitates changes in specific proteins that occur in synchrony with or just prior to the onset of the ripening process. %%% Production of antibodies against these ripening specific proteins for development of a maturity test kit is highly desirable and would circumvent the need for complex techniques involved in current maturity programs, including various gas chromatographic analyses for ethylene.
