ISHS Acta Horticulturae 504: VI Symposium on Stand Establishment and ISHS Seed Symposium
ETHANOL PRODUCTION BY HYDRATED SEEDS: A HIGH RESOLUTION INDEX OF SEED QUALITY |
| Authors: | A.G. Taylor, C.F. Johnson, P.K. Kataki, R.L. Obendorf |
| Keywords: | seed vigor, Brassica, cabbage, immobilized enzyme technology, solid phase microextraction (SPME), Brassicaceae |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.504.17 |
| Abstract:
Rapid seed quality tests are needed that are able to detect the early stages of ageing. A test that employs the ratio of two measurements, in which one response increases as seeds age and the other decreases, should provide a sensitive index for assessing quality. Changes in respiratory activity (measured by ethanol production) were examined with respect to seed quality in cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Seeds were equilibrated at 70% relative humidity and aged by incubation at 40 °C for 0, 7, 14, 21 or 28 d. A 48-h germination count and standard germination test were performed on each sample. Aqueous extracts were prepared from seeds hydrated for 24 h under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography revealed ethanol, but not methanol in the extracts. For routine work, ethanol was analyzed from aqueous extracts using immobilized enzyme technology with alcohol oxidase. Ethanol production increased with ageing under aerobic conditions, while ethanol production decreased with ageing under anaerobic conditions. The ratio of anaerobic to aerobic (ANA) ethanol production decreased substantially with mild ageing. The ANA ratio was shown to have excellent sensitivity and resolution for assessing seed quality of high quality lots. | |
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