Abstract
These studies were undertaken to investigate changes of major components occuring during germination of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds, Changes of total lipid and protein contents, and fatty acid composition were determined. Also, the correponding values of various components in cotyledons, hypocotyls and roots were measured according to germination stage. The results were summarized as follows; During germination, total lipid and protein contents decreased. In particular, protein contents rapidly decreased to the 3 days after gemination(DAG), and then total lipid contents rapidly decreased. In changes of total lipid and protein of cotyledons, hypocotyles and roots detected at the 10, 15 and 20 DAG, some variations were determined. The contents of lipid and protein in hypocotyls rapidly decreased, but since than no changes were observed. In contract, in roots similar changes patterns were observed, while since 15 DAG a rapidly increase was wxamined. In fatty acid composition of total lipid ,saturatedmfatty acids such as palmitic acid increased during the germination. On the other hand, unsaturated fatty acid such as olic acid and linoleic acid decreased during the same periods. In changes of fatty acid composition of total lipid of cotyledons, hypocotlys and roots, saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid and stearic acid increased during the germination. However, linoleic acid decreased during the same germination suggesting that this may be due to the rapid degradation. However, linoleic acid decreased during the same periods. According to SDS-PAGE analysis, there was no detectible polypeptide bands on the gel before seed germination suggesting that this may be due to the rapid degradation of the storage peotein in the mature seed by hydrolytic enzymes during the stag. As germination continued polypeptide bands, one with 40KD, two with 32∼34Kd and one with 24KD, were detected on the gel.
