Changes in the content of free amino acids and other nitrogenous fractions during the germination process in Lupinus albus seeds

Abstract

Aminoacid and protein contení along the germination of Lupinus albus seeds have been studied. The aminoacid pool increased markedly showing the highest valúes about the 5th day of the germination. 4-aminobutyrate concentrations were parallel to the glutamate decarboxy- lase activity and inverse to the glutamic acid level. The high initial valúes and the progresive increase of asparragine and the low proportion of glutamine all during the process, strongly suggest that the mechanism of the ammonia incorporation almost exclusively occurs vía aspartic acid, with the subsequent formation of asparragine. Protein biosinthesis appeared to be in such an intensity than in spite of the hydrolytic process afecting the storage proteins, there was a protein level six times higher on the 5th day compared to that in the dry seed.