Proteinaceous Inhibitors of Trypsin and of Amylases in Developing and Germinating Seeds of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan(L) Millsp)

Abstract

Inhibitors of trypsin and amylase in the extracts of developing seeds of 12 pigeon pea cultivars were analysed using a gel-X-ray film contact print technique and an enzyme-inhibitor assay, respectively. The inhibitors of amylase and trypsin in the extracts of germinating seeds of a pigeon pea cultivar (BDN2) were also studied. Nine trypsin inhibitor bands were detected in mature seeds of all the 12 cultivars. Inhibitory activities against amylase and trypsin were not detected in the extracts of seeds collected 11 and 27 days after flowering (DAF) by the enzyme-inhibitor assay. However, up to three trypsin inhibitor bands could be detected in the extracts of seeds collected 27 DAF by the gel-X-ray film contact technique. Two new slow-moving trypsin inhibitor bands were detected in the extracts of germinating seeds of BDN2 cultivar. These bands were prominent in extracts of seeds 10 days after germination (DAG). The amylase inhibitors and trypsin inhibitors in pigeon pea seeds are late synthesised proteins, their highest levels were observed in mature seeds and they were found to be slowly degraded during germination. Significant inhibitor activities were observed even 15 DAG. The amylases in developing seeds are insensitive to endogenous inhibitors.