Distribution and Varietal Differences of Lipoxygenase in Soybean Seeds

Abstract

Lipoxygenase activity and volatile components in hypocotyl, cotyledon and seed coat, or in whole seed, were determined, using the leading soybean varieties produced in Japan. The results obtained are as follows; (1) Distribution differences in lipoxygenase-1 (L-1) was remarkable between hypocotyl and cotyledon of seed, whereas those of lipoxygenase-2 and -3 (L-2 and L-3) were not significant always, The activities of L-1, L-2 and L-3 were lowest in seed coat. (2) There was distinct difference in lipoxygenase activities among soybean varieties. (3) The amounts of volatiles in the component parts were found in the order; cotyledon>hypocotyl>seed coat. The content of alcohols in seed coat, acetaldehyde in hypocotyl and n-hexanal in cotyledon were dominant, respectively. (4) There existed the positive correlations between beany flavor and the activities of L-1 and L-2, and also between beany flavor and the amount of n-hexanal.