ABSTRACT Reserve mobilization in seeds occurs after visible germination, which is marked by the protrusion of the radicle or cotyledonary petiole, as in species of Arecaceae. Acrocomia aculeata (macaw palm), usually produces hard seeds whose endosperm has mannan-rich cell walls. We investigated the composition of storage compounds in macaw palm seed and the roles of two enzymes (endo-β-mannanase, α-galactosidase) during and after germination. The seeds were firstly submitted to pre-established protocol to overcome dormancy and promote germination. Enzyme activity in both embryo and endosperm were assayed from the initiation of germinative activities until leaf sheath appearance, and the status of seed structures and reserve compounds were evaluated. Protein content of the embryo decreased with the initiation of imbibition while the lipid content began decreasing six days after removal of the operculum. Increases in enzyme activity and starch content were both observed after visible germination. We suggest that endo-β-mannanase and α-galactosidase become active immediately at germination, facilitating haustorium expansion and providing carbohydrates for initial seedling development. Protein is the first storage compound mobilized during early imbibition, and the observed increase in the starch content of the haustorium was related to lipid degradation in that organ and mannan degradation in the adjacent endosperm.

O teste de envelhecimento acelerado é utilizado para avaliar o vigor e a qualidade de sementes. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar e estabelecer relações entre a deterioração, alterações fisiológicas e atividade da enzima catalase, durante o envelhecimento artificial de sementes de Pterogyne nitens. Para tanto, sementes de P. nitens sem e com superação da dormência, por meio da aplicação de ácido sulfúrico concentrado (95-99%), durante 10 minutos, foram submetidas ao teste de envelhecimento acelerado, por 0, 24, 48 e 72 horas, determinando-se a percentagem de germinação, peroxidação de lipídios e atividade da enzima catalase. O envelhecimento artificial afetou significativamente a viabilidade e vigor das sementes, após prévia superação da dormência, observando-se decréscimo na germinação e na atividade da enzima catalase e aumento na peroxidação de lipídios, durante o envelhecimento. Nas sementes que não tiveram a dormência superada, não foi observada relação entre o envelhecimento artificial, alterações fisiológicas e atividade da enzima, de forma que a dormência atua como um mecanismo protetor do estresse oxidativo nas sementes.

The accelerated aging test is usually used to evaluate seeds vigor and quality. This study aimed to investigate and establish relations among deterioration, physiological changes, and catalase enzyme activity, during the artificial aging process of Pterogyne nitens seeds. So, P. nitens seeds with and without dormancy overcoming, with the application of concentrated sulfuric acid (95-99%), for 10 minutes, were exposed to the accelerated aging test, for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours, determining the germination percentage, lipids peroxidation, and catalase enzyme activity. The artificial aging process significantly affected the viability and vigor seeds, after a previous dormancy overcoming, with a decrease in germination and catalase enzyme activity and an increase in lipids peroxidation, during the aging process. For seeds that did not overcome dormancy, no relation among artificial aging, physiological changes, and enzyme activity was observed, so that dormancy acts as a protective mechanism for seeds oxidative stress.

Este trabalho teve como objetivos a quantificação de proteínas e da atividade da enzima α-galactosidase, no eixo embrionário e nos cotilédones, de sementes de Dalbergia nigra (jacarandá-da-bahia) durante a germinação. As sementes foram colocadas para embeber em água por sete dias, sendo retiradas amostras para a avaliação bioquímica e cinética da enzima. A atividade da enzima α-galactosidase aumenta com a embebição das sementes nos dois compartimentos, embora não esteja presente no eixo embrionário de sementes secas. A diferença na atividade da enzima entre os cotilédones e o eixo embrionário foi significativa. O pH 5,5 foi o de máxima atividade para as enzimas de ambos os compartimentos. A temperatura que mais estimulou a atividade da enzima nos cotilédones foi 50 ºC e de 50 a 60 ºC no eixo embrionário. A atividade da α-galactosidase foi inibida por β-mercaptoetanol e cobre, em ambos os compartimentos, enquanto a lactose e o cloreto de sódio estimularam a atividade tanto nos cotilédones como no eixo embrionário. Os valores de K M para enzimas do eixo embrionário e dos cotilédones foram de 0,239 e 0,228 mM, respectivamente.

This work aimed to quantify the protein content and the α-galactosidase activity in the embryonic axis and in the cotyledons of Dalbergia nigra seeds during the imbibition period. The seeds were submitted to water imbibition during seven days. Biochemical and kinetic characterization of the enzyme were done from samples taken during the imbibition period. The activity of the α-galactosidase increased in the two compartments with the soaking of the seeds, although, the enzyme activity was not detected in the embryonic axis of dry seeds. The difference in the activity of the enzyme between cotyledons and embryonic axis was significant. The pH of maximum activity was 5.5 for the enzyme of both compartments. In the cotyledons the higher activity of the enzyme was obtained at 50 ºC. In the embryonic axis the activity was higher at temperatures ranging from 50 to 60 ºC. The activity of the α-galactosidase was inhibited by β-mercaptoethanol and CuSO4 in both compartments, while lactose and sodium chloride stimulated the activity in the cotyledons and in the embryonic axis. The values of K M for the enzymes of the embryonic axis and cotyledons were respectively 0.239 and 0.228 mM.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o vigor e viabilidade de sementes de Anadenanthera peregina submetidas ao envelhecimento acelerado e ao osmocondicionamento. As sementes foram acondicionadas em caixas tipo "gerbox" com uma tela de alumínio separando-as do fundo do gerbox, onde se adicionou água destilada. As caixas foram mantidas em câmara de envelhecimento nas temperaturas de 40, 50 e 60 ºC, durante 24, 48, 72 e 96 h. Para o controle foram utilizadas sementes não submetidas ao envelhecimento. Após cada tempo, as sementes foram submetidas aos seguintes testes: teste de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, condutividade elétrica, teste de tetrazólio, osmocondicionamento e avaliação das plântulas. A 40 ºC, a porcentagem de germinação, o Índice de Velocidade de Germinação (IVG) e a porcentagem de sementes viáveis pelo teste de tetrazólio decresceram significativamente. Houve incremento significativo da curva de condutividade elétrica à medida que aumentou a permanência das sementes dentro da câmara de envelhecimento. A partir de 96 h de permanência na câmara de envelhecimento, as sementes perderam toda a viabilidade, assim como aquelas submetidas ao envelhecimento a 50 e 60 ºC. Na avaliação das plântulas, todos os parâmetros analisados decresceram à medida que as sementes permaneceram na câmara de envelhecimento por mais tempo, com exceção da porcentagem de plântulas anormais e do peso fresco da raiz, que tiveram incremento nos seus valores.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of the accelerated aging in the vigor and viability of Anadenanthera peregrina seeds. For the accelerated aging test, the seeds were conditioned in "gerbox" boxes with an aluminum screen separating the seeds from the bottom of the box. Distilled water was added into the bottom and, after that, the boxes were conditioned in aging chambers under temperatures of 40, 50 and 60ºC, during periods of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Seeds not submitted to the aging process were used as the control. After each period the seeds were submitted to the following tests: standard germination test, germination speed index, electric conductivity, tetrazolium test, osmopriming and seedling evaluation. Under 40ºC, the percentage of germination, the IVG and the percentage of viable seeds for the tetrazolium test decreased significantly. A significant increase in the electric conductivity curve was noticed, as the period in the aging chamber increased. The seeds lost all their viability when submitted to the aging chamber from periods longer than 96 hours, as well as those submitted to temperatures of 50º and 60ºC. In the seedling evaluation, all the parameters analyzed decreased as the seeds stayed in the aging chamber for longer periods, except the percentage of abnormal seedlings and the cool weight of the root, which both increased.