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Mature Seeds (mature + seed)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	57%
Earth and Environmental Science	35%

Selected Abstracts

Oxidative stability of Echium plantagineum seed oil bodies

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2010
David A. Gray
Abstract Echium plantagineum seed contains a highly polyunsaturated oil (approximately 14% linoleic acid, 10% ,-linolenic acid, 33% ,-linolenic acid and 14% stearidonic acid); almost half of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids, so there is an interest in the possible health benefits of this oil, which, once extracted, is prone to oxidation. For the first time in reported literature, oil bodies (OBs), the organelles that store the oil in mature seed, were recovered from E. plantagineum seeds. The oxidative stability of these organelles ex vivo, dispersed in an aqueous continuous phase, was tested against processed E. plantagineum oil emulsions stabilised with either SDS or Tween 20. For both primary and secondary oxidation products the OBs were the most stable form of dispersed oil, and the dispersed systems were all more stable than bulk E. plantagineum oil after incubating at 40°C for 7 days. The possible reasons for the enhanced chemical stability of E. plantagineum OBs are explored in this paper. Practical applications: OBs, the natural store of oil in oilseeds, can be recovered from seeds intact and are relatively stable to oxidation ex vivo. Echium seed OBs, enriched in physiologically active omega-3 fatty acids, therefore offer an attractive alternative to traditional oil extraction methods and overcome the need to encapsulate the omega-3 rich oil. [source]

Optimization of culture conditions for plant regeneration of Panicum spp. through somatic embryogenesis

GRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010
Mi-Suk Seo
Abstract We developed a rapid and efficient shoot regeneration system for Panicum spp. by adjusting the regeneration medium and studying the responses of different genotypes and the influence of explant types (mature seed, immature embryo and shoot apex). We used Panicum meyerianum (Nees) and Panicum longijubatum (Stapf) which were shown to perform well, to select the optimal medium for shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration was obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 30 g L,1 maltose and 1 mg L,1 N-phenyl-N,-[(1,2,3-thidiazol-5-yl) urea]. The callus formed green spots after 1 week of culture and showed primary green shoots after 2 weeks. In this system, the calli derived from mature seed of nine Panicum genotypes showed large variation in shoot regeneration ability: from 0 to 69.9% in the frequency of shoot formation and from 0 to 8.4 in the number of shoots per callus. Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) showed no ability and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) showed low ability to regenerate from mature seed-derived calli; however, both were able to be regenerated from immature embryos and calli derived from shoot apices. We developed an efficient protocol for high shoot regeneration of various Panicum genotypes which provides a foundation for efficient tissue culture and genetic improvement of Panicum. [source]

Evaluation of tissue culture response from mature seeds of Panicum spp.

GRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008
Mi-Suk Seo
Abstract The genus Panicum contains important warm-season forage grasses and species with potential as biomass crops. We selected Panicum genotypes with high response to tissue culture for genetic improvement. The highest frequency of callus induction from mature seed of Panicum maximum cultivar Natsukaze was obtained on MS medium containing 4.0 mg L,1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and solidified with 0.3% Gelrite. We compared germination frequencies and callus induction capacities among 24 genotypes of 11 Panicum species on this medium. Callus induction frequencies varied among genotypes. Those with high germination frequencies generally had high callus induction frequencies. On the other hand, especially in P. maximum, the callus induction ratio (callus induction frequency/germination frequency) depended on the reproductive mode and ploidy. The callus induction ratio of three sexual accessions of P. maximum were very low compared to apomictic accessions, and besides, a tetraploid sexual accession Noh PL1 had very low germination and callus induction frequencies. Callus induction and regeneration capacities were independent of each other. For shoot regeneration, we transferred callus derived from the 24 genotypes onto MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L,1 kinetin and 0.4% Gelrite. Six of the genotypes regenerated plantlets. Among them, Panicum meyerianum produced the highest shoot regeneration frequency of 61.6% and the maximum number of shoots callus,1 in the shortest time. The callus of P. meyerianum also showed vigorous proliferation. We thus selected high-response genotypes of P. meyerianum. [source]

Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging Enzymes and Down-Adjustment of Metabolism Level in Mitochondria Associated with Desiccation-Tolerance Acquisition of Maize Embryo

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2009
Jing-Hua Wu
Abstract It is a well-known fact that a mature seed can survive losing most of its water, yet how seeds acquire desiccation-tolerance is not well understood. Through sampling maize embryos of different developmental stages and comparatively studying the integrity, oxygen consumption rate and activities of antioxidant enzymes in the mitochondria, the main origin site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in seed cells, we found that before an embryo achieves desiccation-tolerance, its mitochondria shows a more active metabolism, and might produce more ROS and therefore need a more effective ROS scavenging system. However, embryo dehydration in this developmental stage declined the activities of most main antioxidant enzymes and accumulated thiobarbituric acid-reactive products in mitochondria, and then destroyed the structure and functional integrity of mitochondria. In physiologically-matured embryos (dehydration-tolerant), mitochondria showed lower metabolism levels, and no decline in ROS scavenging enzyme activities and less accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products after embryo dehydration. These data indicate that seed desiccation-tolerance acquisition might be associated with down-adjustment of the metabolism level in the late development stage, resulting in less ROS production, and ROS scavenging enzymes becoming desiccation-tolerant and then ensuring the structure and functional integrity of mitochondria. [source]

Both antisense and sense expression of biotin carboxyl carrier protein isoform 2 inactivates the plastid acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in Arabidopsis thaliana

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002
Jay J. Thelen
Summary To further characterize the role of biotin carboxyl carrier protein isoform 2 (BCCP2) in acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) function and fatty acid biosynthesis, plants with reduced or increased expression of this protein were characterized. Analysis of 38 independent Arabidopsis lines expressing antisense BCCP2 transcript behind a constitutive promoter showed no significant phenotype, though antisense transcript was highly expressed. In developing seed, BCCP2 protein was reduced by an average of 38% resulting in a 9% average decrease in fatty acid content in mature seed. Over-expression of BCCP2 behind a seed-specific napin promoter increased the amount of holo-BCCP2 in developing seed by an average of twofold, as determined with anti-biotin antibodies. Surprisingly, the average fatty acid content of T2 seed from over-expression lines was 23% lower than wild-type seed. These plants also exhibited reduced seed setting in 18 of 20 T1 lines which was coincident with increased individual seed mass. Quantification of total BCCP2 in developing siliques using anti-BCCP2 antibodies indicated that as much as 60% of total plastidial BCCP2 was in the non-biotinylated form (apo-BCCP2). Although apo-BCCP2 was highly over-expressed in developing seed, accumulation of other ACCase subunits was unaffected. The specific activity of ACCase was up to 65% lower in developing seed of over-expression lines versus wild type. This was attributed to the assembly of biologically inactive (non-biotinylated) ACCase complexes. Consistent with ACCase exerting control over de novo fatty acid synthesis, reduced activity in developing seed resulted in lower oil content, altered fatty acid composition and reduced seed setting. [source]

The rate of transport through a phosphate translocator affects delayed luminescence induction: an experiment and a theoretical model

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001
S KHUZNETSOVA
Summary Delayed luminescence (DL) induction curves were studied in leaves from a mutant pea line containing mutations at both the r and rb loci, compared with leaves from wild type plants. Genes at the r and rb loci encode starch branching enzyme and ADP - glucose pyrophosphorylase, respectively. The presence of mutations at both loci, previously known to reduce the starch content in the dry mature seed by 75%, have been shown to lower the starch level in leaves by at least 20%. During induction, the half-time for the DL intensity decrease from maximum to steady state in the mutant was 1.5 ± 0.2 times longer than for the wild type. It is proposed that the prolongation of the induction period in leaves from the mutant plants is caused by a lack of inorganic phosphate (Pi) restricting the rate of ATP synthesis at the beginning of induction. The reduced Pi would be compensated by triose flow from the chloroplast, via the triose phosphate translocator, being exchanged for Pi from the cytosol. Analysis of our theoretical photosynthesis model confirmed that a decrease in the rate of Pi released from the Calvin cycle could lead to a prolongation of the induction period. [source]

A novel host shift and invaded range of a seed predator, Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), of an invasive weed, Leucaena leucocephala

ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009
Midori TUDA
Abstract An endophagous seed predator, Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), utilizes Neotropical Leucaena (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae). One of its hosts, Leucaena leucocephala, is a fast-growing nitrogen-fixing tree that serves as a multipurpose beneficial plant but eventually becomes an aggressive invader where it was introduced. Herein, we report A. macrophthalmus invasion of the Far East, South Asian tropics and subtropics (Japanese Pacific Islands, Taiwan, Southern China, Northern Thailand and Southern India). Of other field-collected mimosoid legumes, an introduced tree, Falcataria moluccana, in Taiwan was found to be used by the seed predator. Conversely, our published work review revealed that the seed predator had retained high host specificity to Leucaena species in its native and introduced regions. Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus was able to utilize aphagously postharvest mature seeds for oviposition and larval development, which is a trait of post-dispersal seed predators. We confirmed that A. macrophthalmus that was reared on L. leucocephala was able to utilize F. moluccana as well. Although the relatively high host specificity of the oligophagous beetle is suitable for controlling the weedy L. leucocephala, the potential host range expansion confirmed by this study must be cautioned. [source]

Evaluation of tissue culture response from mature seeds of Panicum spp.

Identification of four low molecular and water-soluble proteins from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2010
Ting Zhou
Summary Profiles of soluble proteins isolated from mature seeds of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace were studied using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI,TOF,MS). Two-dimensional gels stained with Coomassie brilliant blue revealed more than fifty protein spots. Four abundant protein spots showing low molecular weight (Mr) and wide isoelectric point (pI) were analysed by MALDI,TOF,MS, resulting in their identification. Taken together, these results suggest that identified proteins may be linked to seed development and metabolism, but more instructive is that they have some potential functions for future food application. These results provide some insights into conversion of grape processing wastes into useful products or even as raw material for other industries. [source]

Influence of Water Stress on the Chemical Composition of Seeds of Two Lupins (Lupinus albus and Lupinus mutabilis)

JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005
I. S. Carvalho
Abstract We have performed chemical proximate analysis and determined the carbohydrate profile of mature seeds of Lupinus albus, cv. Rio Maior and Lupinus mutabilis, cv. Potosi plants, either well watered (ww) or subjected to a water-stress period (imposed from the 15th to 35th day after anthesis). Protein content from lupin seeds was 450 and 320 g kg,1 of seed on dry weight basis, for ww plants, respectively, of L. albus and L. mutabilis. Water stress did not affect protein content. The oil content of ww plants was about 120 g kg,1 of seed dry weight for L. albus and 180 g kg,1 of seed dry weight for L. mutabilis. Water stress reduced those values of half. The sugar content was about 90 g kg,1 for L. albus and 50 g kg,1 of seed dry weight for L. mutabilis, in ww plants. Water stress led to an increase in sugar content to 200 and 130 g kg,1 of seed dry weight, respectively, for L. albus and L. mutabilis. The , -galactosides amounted to 70 % of the total sugars (raffinose being 30 % and stachyose, 40 %) and sucrose was about 20 % of the total sugars. Water stress increased total carbohydrates and increased the sucrose/, -galactoside ratio, although reducing raffinose content and increasing sucrose content. [source]

Prediction of cutting effects on a population of Chaerophyllum aureum, a demographic approach

JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2000
D. Magda
Abstract. A demographic study of the undesirable perennial weed Chaerophyllum aureum in extensified French Pyrenean hay meadows was carried out. For two successive years the effect of date and intensity of cutting on the population demography of this colonizer. Population density is sensitive to cutting practices essentially through fecundity, seedling survival rate and seed dispersal between fields. Cutting reduces fecundity by preventing seed formation (early cutting) or by exportation of some mature seeds with hay (late cutting). Nevertheless, the number of seeds transported between field populations by hay harvest, organic manuring and associated cutting practices compensates for the lack of seed production in early-cut populations, maintaining them at relative high densities. For each of three cutting regimes, the number of immigrant and emigrant seeds has been indirectly estimated from a prediction of population density at equilibrium from demographic parameters measured in field populations and compared with observed population densities. [source]

A subtilisin-like serine protease essential for mucilage release from Arabidopsis seed coats

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008
Carsten Rautengarten
Summary During Arabidopsis seed development large quantities of mucilage, composed of pectins, are deposited into the apoplast underneath the outer wall of the seed coat. Upon imbibition of mature seeds, the stored mucilage expands through hydration and breaks the outer cell wall that encapsulates the whole seed. Mutant seeds carrying loss-of-function alleles of AtSBT1.7 that encodes one of 56 Arabidopsis thaliana subtilisin-like serine proteases (subtilases) do not release mucilage upon hydration. Microscopic analysis of the mutant seed coat revealed no visible structural differences compared with wild-type seeds. Weakening of the outer primary wall using cation chelators triggered mucilage release from the seed coats of mutants. However, in contrast to mature wild-type seeds, the mutant's outer cell walls did not rupture at the radial walls of the seed coat epidermal cells, but instead opened at the chalazal end of the seed, and were released in one piece. In atsbt1.7, the total rhamnose and galacturonic acid contents, representing the backbone of mucilage, remained unchanged compared with wild-type seeds. Thus, extrusion and solubility, but not the initial deposition of mucilage, are affected in atsbt1.7 mutants. AtSBT1.7 is localized in the developing seed coat, indicating a role in testa development or maturation. The altered mode of rupture of the outer seed coat wall and mucilage release indicate that AtSBT1.7 triggers the accumulation, and/or activation, of cell wall modifying enzymes necessary either for the loosening of the outer primary cell wall, or to facilitate swelling of the mucilage, as indicated by elevated pectin methylesterase activity in developing atsbt1.7 mutant seeds. [source]

The Effects of Primates and Squirrels on Seed Survival of a Canopy Tree, Afzelia quanzensis, in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya,

BIOTROPICA, Issue 1 2000
Mwangi Gathua
ABSTRACT I examined the fate of seeds from ten focal trees of Afzelia quanzensis (Leguminosae), a canopy tree in the Arabuko-Sokoke, Kenya. The study was conducted for one fruiting season, between August 1990 and July 1991. Yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), Syke's monkeys (Cercopithecus albogularis), sun squirrels (Heliosciurus rufobrachium), and bush squirrels (Paraxerus palliatus) were all observed to interact with A. quanzensis seeds at various stages of pod development. Baboons and squirrels consumed high percentages of seeds when they were still immature, but the seeds were still unavailable to Syke's monkeys at this stage. Baboons bit open the hard green pods and squirrels gnawed through the pods to extract the immature seeds (hereafter referred to as seed predation), but monkeys were unable to open the pods. Upon maturity, the pods opened slightly, revealing red arils that were sought by baboons, monkeys, and squirrels. Monkeys removed the highest percentage of mature seeds from these pods. These mammal dispersers ate the arils from the mature seeds and discarded the viable part that germinates (hereafter referred to as seed dispersal). My data indicate that baboons and squirrels are seed predators while monkeys are seed dispersers of A. quanzensis. [source]

Embryology of Hortonioideae and Monimioideae (Monimiaceae, Laurales): characteristics of the ,lower' monimioids

BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008
YUKITOSHI KIMOTO
We investigated the embryology of the ,lower' monimioids, i.e. Monimioideae (Monimia, Palmeria and Peumus) and Hortonioideae (Hortonia), which are poorly described embryologically. Our results show that, contrary to what has been reported in the literature, ,lower' monimioids show very little variation in their embryological characters. Comparisons with Mollinedioideae (a large derived subfamily in Monimiaceae) and other families in Laurales show that the ,lower' monimioids are relatively consistent in sharing predominantly isobilateral tetrads of microspores and megaspores, a non-specialized chalaza, and a mesotestal,endotestal seed coat (with tracheoidal cells of the meso- and endotesta). It is likely that, while the shared successive cytokinesis during meiosis of microspore mother cells supports the Monimiaceae,Hernandiaceae,Lauraceae clade obtained by molecular evidence, no synapomorphies exist to support a sister-group relationship of Monimiaceae with Hernandiaceae or Lauraceae. Instead, the lack of hypostase in ovules and/or young seeds, the lack of endosperm in mature seeds and the amoeboid tapetum in the anther are likely synapomorphies of Hernandiaceae and Lauraceae. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 228,241. [source]