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Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Ultra‐Dry Storage on Barbados Nut Seeds
Author(s) -
Cui Kai,
Wang Haiying,
Li Kun,
Liao Shengxi,
Li Li,
Zhang Chunhua
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2013.10.0680
Subject(s) - apx , germination , sugar , superoxide dismutase , food science , malondialdehyde , peroxidase , horticulture , catalase , biology , water content , proline , glutathione reductase , antioxidant , point of delivery , botany , chemistry , glutathione peroxidase , enzyme , biochemistry , amino acid , geotechnical engineering , engineering
In this study, the feasibility of ultra‐dry storage of Barbados nut ( Jatropha curcas L.) seeds was investigated. The J. curcas seeds were dehydrated to six different moisture contents (1.33–6.98%) and stored at ambient temperature for 3 yr. Then, the indices related to seed vigor were measured. To explore the mechanism of ultra‐dry storage, some physiological and biochemical indicators, including electrical conductivity (EC); contents of proline (Pro) and malondialdehyde (MDA); activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR); total soluble sugar content; and fatty acid composition, were determined. Results indicated that moisture content and prehumidification method significantly affected seed germination and vigor. The ultra‐dried seeds showed a higher germination percentage than nondehydrated seeds. The germination percentage of ultra‐dried seeds was negatively correlated with EC and MDA content and positively correlated with the activities of five antioxidant enzymes. As compared with the nondehydrated seeds, the ultra‐dried seeds had lower soluble sugar and higher unsaturated fatty acids contents. The moisture content of 4.06% was found to be the optimal ultra‐drying treatment, which is beneficial to enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce lipid peroxidation of cell membranes, thereby slowing the decline in viability of J. curcas seeds.