LIPID, PROTEIN AND CARBOHYDRATE DURING SEED DEVELOPMENT IN Araucaria angustifolia

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Marilia Shibata

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate changes in germination and in the amount of carbohydrates, starch, proteins and lipids of A. angustifolia seeds at different stages of development. Seeds were collected in the Cotyledonary Stage and Stages I, II, III and IV, and germination, moisture content, dry matter amount, and levels of carbohydrates, starch, proteins, lipids and fatty acids were determined. Both embryo and megagametophyte contained the starch as the large reserve content, while proteins and mainly lipids represented only a small proportion. During seed development, the highest values for germination, starch and soluble carbohydrate content were observed at stage IV. Although, soluble protein content had decreased from Cotyledonary Stage to Stage III, an increase at Stage IV was observed in the embryo. No difference was observed in lipid content and linoleic acid was more abundant in fatty acids. Thus, A. angustifolia embryo showed an increase soluble protein content, an accumulation of dry matter and soluble carbohydrate content at Stage IV; these compounds seems to collaborate to faster and higher germination.

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