Overview
I graduated from the University of York in 2011 with a first class degree in biology. I then joined the Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences at the University of Edinburgh to undertake a PhD in plant biochemistry. I completed my PhD, entitled ‘Formation and subsequent metabolism of ascorbate oxidation products in vitro and in plant cells’ in 2015.
After my PhD I joined the wildFIRE lab here in Exeter to continue researching plant biochemistry but this time in relation to plant flammability, specifically in pine species.
Broad research specialisms:
- Plant biochemistry
- Volatile organic compounds
- Plant flammability
Qualifications
PhD in plant biochemistry (University of Edinburgh, 2015);
BSc in biology (University of York, 2011)
Research
Research interests
I’m working on a project that aims to identify differences in plant biochemistry that link to plant flammability. Initially we will look at differences in volatile compounds biochemistry and flammability between pine species.
Grants/Funding:
ERC ECOFLAM project
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Haworth M, Belcher CM, Killi D, Dewhirst RA, Materassi A, Raschi A, Centritto M (2018). Impaired photosynthesis and increased leaf construction costs may induce floral stress during episodes of global warming over macroevolutionary timescales.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,
8 Author URL.
Dewhirst RA, Fry SC (2018). Oxalyltransferase, a plant cell-wall acyltransferase activity, transfers oxalate groups from ascorbate metabolites to carbohydrates.
PLANT JOURNAL,
95(4), 743-757.
Author URL.
Karkonen A, Dewhirst RA, Mackay CL, Fry SC (2017). Metabolites of 2,3-diketogulonate delay peroxidase action and induce non-enzymic H2O2 generation: Potential roles in the plant cell wall.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS,
620, 12-22.
Author URL.
Full text.
Dewhirst RA, Clarkson GJJ, Rothwell SD, Fry SC (2017). Novel insights into ascorbate retention and degradation during the washing and post-harvest storage of spinach and other salad leaves.
Food Chemistry,
233, 237-246.
Abstract:
Novel insights into ascorbate retention and degradation during the washing and post-harvest storage of spinach and other salad leaves
© 2017 the AuthorsPost-harvest treatments of pre-packaged salad leaves potentially cause L-ascorbate loss, but the mechanisms of ascorbate degradation remain incompletely understood, especially in planta. We explored the extent and pathways of ascorbate loss in variously washed and stored salad leaves. Ascorbate was assayed by 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol titration, and pathways were monitored by 14C-radiolabelling followed by high-voltage electrophoresis. All leaves tested showed ascorbate loss during storage: lettuce showed the greatest percentage loss, wild rocket the least. Spinach leaves were particularly prone to losing ascorbate during washing, especially with simultaneous mechanical agitation; however, washing in the presence of hypochlorite did not significantly increase ascorbate loss. In spinach, [14C]oxalate was the major product of [14C]ascorbate degradation, suggesting that commercial washing causes oxidative stress. This study highlights that ascorbate/dehydroascorbic acid are lost via the oxidative pathway during washing and post-harvest storage of salad leaves. Thus changes to washing procedures could potentially increase the post-harvest retention of ascorbate.
Abstract.
Full text.
Publications by year
2018
Haworth M, Belcher CM, Killi D, Dewhirst RA, Materassi A, Raschi A, Centritto M (2018). Impaired photosynthesis and increased leaf construction costs may induce floral stress during episodes of global warming over macroevolutionary timescales.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,
8 Author URL.
Dewhirst RA, Fry SC (2018). Oxalyltransferase, a plant cell-wall acyltransferase activity, transfers oxalate groups from ascorbate metabolites to carbohydrates.
PLANT JOURNAL,
95(4), 743-757.
Author URL.
2017
Karkonen A, Dewhirst RA, Mackay CL, Fry SC (2017). Metabolites of 2,3-diketogulonate delay peroxidase action and induce non-enzymic H2O2 generation: Potential roles in the plant cell wall.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS,
620, 12-22.
Author URL.
Full text.
Dewhirst RA, Clarkson GJJ, Rothwell SD, Fry SC (2017). Novel insights into ascorbate retention and degradation during the washing and post-harvest storage of spinach and other salad leaves.
Food Chemistry,
233, 237-246.
Abstract:
Novel insights into ascorbate retention and degradation during the washing and post-harvest storage of spinach and other salad leaves
© 2017 the AuthorsPost-harvest treatments of pre-packaged salad leaves potentially cause L-ascorbate loss, but the mechanisms of ascorbate degradation remain incompletely understood, especially in planta. We explored the extent and pathways of ascorbate loss in variously washed and stored salad leaves. Ascorbate was assayed by 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol titration, and pathways were monitored by 14C-radiolabelling followed by high-voltage electrophoresis. All leaves tested showed ascorbate loss during storage: lettuce showed the greatest percentage loss, wild rocket the least. Spinach leaves were particularly prone to losing ascorbate during washing, especially with simultaneous mechanical agitation; however, washing in the presence of hypochlorite did not significantly increase ascorbate loss. In spinach, [14C]oxalate was the major product of [14C]ascorbate degradation, suggesting that commercial washing causes oxidative stress. This study highlights that ascorbate/dehydroascorbic acid are lost via the oxidative pathway during washing and post-harvest storage of salad leaves. Thus changes to washing procedures could potentially increase the post-harvest retention of ascorbate.
Abstract.
Full text.
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