Changes in phenolics and protein content during seed germination of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

Seeds of Carthamus tinctorius L. are recognized for their energetic potential. Their germination capacity along with other characteristics that deal with the genetic variability were not so much studied. Thus, in the frame of this paper, we tried to study the mobilization of the storage substances from the seeds of Bridgea safflower cultivar, along the entire germination process, in view of setting the maximum cummulation points for the analysed characteristics. The used biological material consists of safflower seeds in different germination stages (seeds - S I, seedlings - S II, plantlets - S III, plants without roots - SIV, roots - S V). The extracts were obtained using phosphate buffer pH 7. The plant extracts were subjected to the following analyses: spectrophotometrical determination of total protein content, phenolics and flavonoid content. With regard to the total protein content of the analyzed extracts, the highest value ​​was 9.1 g/100g FW, recorded in stage S III. Also, the total flavonoid content during the germination stages ranged between 0.08g and 0.21g rutin equivalents (RE) / 100g FW. The highest value of phenols during seed germination was recorded in stage S III, with 1.08 g gallic acid equivalents (GAE). The results show that the bioaccumulation of phenolics and protein content in safflower during seed germination is influenced by the germination stage, implying further investigations regarding the germination process and the possibility of valorizing in related fields.