Hypoxia/anoxia as signaling for increased alcohol dehydrogenase activity in saffron (Crocus sativus L.) corm.

Alcohol dehydrogenase, NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase, and NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenase activities were investigated in corms cultivated in normoxic and hypoxic/anoxic conditions. Depending on the developmental stage, hypoxia/anoxia was a signal for increase in either alcohol dehydrogenase or NAD-dependent lactate dehydrogenase. NAD-independent lactate dehydrogenase contributed to the recycling of lactate, thus preventing acidosis.