Abstract
Information about the morphology, chemical composition and reserve mobilization is important in understanding the establishment of native and exotic species. The purpose of this study was to describe the morphology, chemical composition, and mobilization of reserves during germination of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.). Biometric and morphological analyzes were performed with 100 randomly selected dried seeds. Other seeds were treated with sulfuric acid PA and soaked in Petri dishes. Collected seeds of five different times of germination were used for cytochemical and chemical analysis. For cytochemical analysis, the cuts of 5μm were submitted to dyes TB at pH 4.0; XP at pH 2.5, reaction of PAS and Sudan IV. The seeds were crushed for chemical analysis with lipids, proteins and soluble sugars extraction that were determined gravimetrically, by the Bradford method and the Antrona method, respectively. The fatty acid composition of the dry seed was determined by gas chromatography. Noni seeds are albuminous and have a thick seed coat, rich in lignin. Lipid and protein bodies were observed inside the endosperm cells, representing 43.50% and 9.15% respectively, while the reservoir of soluble sugars was less than 5%. Linoleic acid was the most prevalent with 68.1%. The lipids were mobilized during germination, suffering a reduction of up to 38% of its total. Proteins, as well as lipids decreased by 25.78% during the germination period observed. The main reserves of noni seeds are lipids and proteins that are mobilized during germination to provide energy and matter to the developing embryo and synthesis of more complex compounds.
Highlights
Morinda citrifolia L., popularly known as noni, belongs to the Rubiaceae (Rubioideae) family and receives great attention due to its nutritional and medicinal value
In face of the remarks on Morinda citrifolia L., this study aimed to describe the morphology of the dry seed, as well determine the chemical composition and mobilization of reserves of this specie during the germination
The weight of a thousand seeds was 31.77 g, which means that a kilogram of noni seeds contain approximately 31.476 seeds
Summary
Morinda citrifolia L., popularly known as noni, belongs to the Rubiaceae (Rubioideae) family and receives great attention due to its nutritional and medicinal value. Noni forms evergreen shrubs or medium-height trees 3 to 6 m tall (NELSON, 2005), but it may grow over 10 m. Native of Southeast Asia, noni grows in tropical and subtropical climates, being often found near the coast and in forests 400 m above sea level. It was spread by travelers and colonizers of Pacific islands besides ocean currents and migrating birds (MAcPHERSON et al, 2007). It is found in saline, alkaline, low-fertility, shallow, sandy or rocky soils (MATHIVANAN et al, 2005; NELSON; ELEVITCH, 2006; NUNES et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
