Abstract
ABSTRACT. The seeds of a sesame crop contain approximately 50% oil content, one of the main reasons for their cultivation. However, information regarding methodologies for the assessment of quality seeds of this culture are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to adapt the methods of accelerated ageing tests for sesame seeds and investigate changes in the behaviour of isoenzymes. The physiological characterization of the seeds and electrophoretic analysis of the isoenzymes superoxide dismutase, esterase, catalase, alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase were also performed. For the accelerated ageing test, the seeds were subjected to the traditional method, with a saturated NaCl solution, at ageing times of 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. It was found that it is possible to evaluate the effect of accelerated ageing tests on sesame seeds by using the traditional method for 72 hours and saturated NaCl solution at 45°C for 48 hours. When associated with the activity of isozymes EST, CAT, ADH, and ICL, it was possible to observe that there was a significant variation in the intensity of expression of the bands as the seed deterioration process progressed.
Highlights
Sesamum indicum L. is a species of high value, as its commercial product is a seed, of approximately 50% to 60% oil content
Seed physiological quality has been most commonly determined through a germination test conducted under favourable conditions that allows seeds to express maximum capacity
The characterization of cultivars and evaluation of physiological quality were defined by the following determinations and tests: The moisture content was determined using the oven method at 105°C for 24 hours (Brasil, 2009), with two replicates of 0.5 g seeds for each cultivar
Summary
Sesamum indicum L. is a species of high value, as its commercial product is a seed, of approximately 50% to 60% oil content. This oil has several uses, including in the production of biodiesel, as a cooking oil, and in paints, margarines, varnishes, soaps, cosmetics and medicines (Borchani, Besbes, Blecker, & Attia, 2010). Despite the great economic potential of sesame to yield seeds with oil of superior quality in relation to other oilseeds, research related to seed physiological quality is still limited. Seed physiological quality has been most commonly determined through a germination test conducted under favourable conditions that allows seeds to express maximum capacity
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