Abstract
The protein cantent of black matpe cotyledon decreases gradually following germination, whereas that of the hypocatyl increases slightly in the first week after germination. Cotyledon and hypocotyl proteins in ungerminated seeds were separated into three peaks (P1, P2, P3 in elution order) by column chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The proportions of P1, P2 and P3 were 7: 2: 1 in cotyledon, and 4: 5: 1 in hypocotyl. After germination in the catyledon, the lower-molecular-weight peak area became broader while the high-molecular-weight peak area (storage protein) remained. In the hypocotyl and radicle, the lowermolecular-weight peak area occupied a greater proportion, and in the plumule the high-molecular-weight area developed. Protease inhibitor activity was detected only in the cotyledon of ungerminated and germinated seeds and the hypacatyl of ungerminated seeds. ln the catyledan it decreased during 7 days of germination. In the cotyledon, APase, BAPAase, CPase and LNAase activities reached a maximum in one or two days from the beginning of germination. In the hypocatyl, APase, CPase and LNAase activities increased in 5 or 7 days from the beginning of germination. The dominant free amino acids of 7-day hypocotyl and radicle were Laspartic acid, L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-arginine.
