The transformation of 12 radioactively labeled compounds into 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMHF), glycosidically bound DMHF, and 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-3(2H)-furanone (DMMF) was investigated in detached ripening strawberry fruits (Fragaria × ananassa) over a 3-day period. Radiochemical analysis of the different fruit parts revealed that major portions of the applied radioactivity (up to 66%) remained in the stems and calyx. Incorporation levels of 2-14Cdihydroxyacetone, d-1-3Hglucose, d-U-14C-glucose, d-U-14Cglucose 6-phosphate, d-U-14Cfructose, and d-U-14Cfructose 1,6-bisphosphate into the total amount of furanone derivatives were 0.022, 0.032, 0.035, 0.147, 0.202, and 0.289% of the radioactivity entering the fruits, respectively. Minor amounts of radioactivity (<0.001%) were detected in the furanone structures after the administration of 1-14Cacetate and 3-14Cpyruvate. l-1-14CFucose, l-6-3Hfucose, l-1-3Hrhamnose, l-U-14Cthreonine, l-U-14Clactaldehyde, and 2-14Cmalonic acid were not transformed into DMHF or a derivative thereof. Keywords: Biosynthesis; carbohydrate metabolism; 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone; Fragaria × ananassa; Rosaceae