Fluorescence Spectra of Seeds of the Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

337 and 410 nm-excitation of static fluorescence of seeds of the bitter gourd at immature (or raw) and mature (or ripe) stages of growth are presented. In the 337 nm-excitation, emission bands appear approximately at wavelengths 410 and 450 nm, along with ones at 500 (in mature stage only) and 630 nm. The intensity of the 410 nm band becomes lower, while those of the 500 and 630 ones become higher at the mature stage of the fruit. For the excitation of 410 nm, bands appear approximately at 630 and 670 nm, along with the one at 500 nm. Intensities of the 500 and 630 nm bands increase whereas that of the 670 nm one decreases. Fluorescence intensity ratios F630/F670, determined for the two stages, show marked variations—a clear indication of the process of ripening of the fruit. At 410 nm-excitation of fluorescence in the seeds of the bitter gourd, intensities of 500 and 630 nm bands increase whereas that of the 670 nm band decreases at the mature stage. The fluorescence intensity ratio F630/F670 shows marked variations at immature and mature stages—a clear indication of ripening of the fruit.