Distribution and biochemical composition of large and small seeds of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: The position of soybean seeds on the stem axis brings about differences in seed filling during seed development, which contributes to different seed size and results in determining the quality of seeds for food usage. The quality differences between the large and small seeds are reported.RESULTS: The proportion of large seeds was higher at the apical portion while small seeds predominated at the basal portion of the soybean stem axis. The contents of lipids, starch, soluble sugars and soluble proteins were higher in large seeds as compared to those in small ones. The proportion of membrane lipid components, on a 10‐kernel basis, was higher in large seeds. The proportion of palmitate and oleate was also higher in large seeds. SDS‐PAGE analysis showed that glycinin (11S) proteins of 46 and 32 kDa were at higher concentrations, while 158 and 20 kDa were at lower concentration in large seeds in comparison to small seeds. Likewise, β‐conglycinins (7S) of 75, 62 and 46 kDa were higher in large seeds compared to small ones.CONCLUSION: Segregating the seeds of apical from the basal portion of soybean plant at harvest is expected to improve the germination, growth, yield and food‐processing aspects. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry