Determination of the chemical compositions of Viscum album ssp. album and soft core hosts

In this study, leaf proportional water content, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, total amino acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose and sulphydryl group (SH) were determined in both Viscum album ssp. album and its hosts. Physiological alterations in soft-core fruits such as Ankara pear, Braeburn apple and hawtorn when infected with Viscum album ssp. album were investigated. While proportional water content of V. a. ssp. album was found higher than all fruit trees with or without V. album (control), its chlorophyll a content was lower than only control and two hosts (Braeburn apple and Ankara pear). Chlorophyll b content, on the other hand, was similar in all experimental groups for Ankara pear and hawthron whereas, in Braeburn apple, it was significantly higher in control. As for the total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of V.a. ssp. album, in Breaburn and Ankara pear, they were found less than the controls and hosts whilst in hawthorn, the values were variable. Although proline content of V. a. ssp. album was higher compared to their controls and hosts, total amino acid, reduced and total ascorbic acid, glucose, fructose and sulphydryl acid in V. a. ssp. album were determined to be lower than all uninfected fruits (control).