Estimation of Biological Activities by NMR in Soybean Seeds during Maturation

Abstract

¹H-, ¹³C-, and ³¹P-NMR spectra of soybean seeds were examined in relation to the water contents to study physiological changes during the course of maturation. Two remarkable transitions were deduced from the NMR spectra; (1) the termination of vacuoler function before that of cytoplasmic function at the water content of 28%, (2) end of activity of cytoplasm at a water content of approximately 10%. Only the signals due to oils are observed other than water in dry seeds at the water content of 7%.