S U M M A R YDormancy in seeds of Adansonia digitata (L.) can be attributed partly to the testa and partly to the pulp. Several methods, such as wet heat treatment, total or partial seed decoating and scarification of seeds with concentrated acids, herbicides, fungicides and growth regulators, were tested in 1988 and 1989 to break dormancy. The most effective was scarification with HNO 3 or H 2 SO 4 , which gave 86 and 98 % germination, respectively, while total decoating, partial decoating, wet heat treatment and ethrel gave 85, 80, 75 and 70%, respectively. Seeds treated with herbicides and fungicides did not germinate. Inhibition of germination caused by the pulp was overcome by thorough washing of seeds and soaking in water for 3 days.

Seed lipids of Persea americana and Chrysophyllum albidum were studied. Lipids were extracted with chloroform-methanol, analysed with silicic column chromatography and thin layer chromatography. The total lipid content of Persea americana was 10.8% while that of Chrysophyllum albidum was 7.7%. Fractionation of the total lipid fraction of Persea americana using silicic acid column chromatography showed the occurrence of neutral lipids 6.5%, glycolipids 2.1% and phospholipids 2.2% while those of Chrysophyllum albidum were 4.2%, 1.7% and 1.8% for neutral lipids, gycolipids and phospholipids, respectively. Thin layer chromatography separation showed three classes of lipids in Persea americana and Chrysophyllum albidum which were oleic acid, palmitic acid and cholesterol. The colour of these lipids was yellow and solid at room temperature. These studies suggest that oil extracted from seeds of Persea americana and Chrysophyllum albidum could be used for the manufacture of industrial products.

The lipid contents of ungerminated and germinated seeds of Capsicunl srmuurn and Atremomum melequeta were studied to determine the level of total lipids, neutral lipids and phospholipids. The percentage germination of Capsicum annuum and Aframomum melequeta were 95+2.0% and 90+1.5% respectively. The total lipids of ungerminated and genninated seeds of C. annuum were 37.50% and 26.44% respectively. The neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipids of ungerminated seeds of C .annuum were 30.75 % , 2.3% and 4.45% respectively while that of qerrnlnated seeds of C annuum was neutral lipid 21.65%, glycolipid 1.27% and phospholipids 3.49%. The neutral lipid, glycolipid and phospholipids of ungerminated seeds of A. melequeta were 67.72%, 3.75% and 13.68% respectively while that of germinated seeds were neutral lipid 50.0%, glycolipid 2.38% and phospholipids 10.12%. Neutral lipids were the major components while glycolipids and phospholipids formed the minor components. The colour of C. annuum lipid extracted was brownish and solid at room temperature while that of A. melequeta was also brownish but oily at room temperature. Both lipids were aromatic. Thin layer chromatographic analysis revealed three lipid classes which were oleic acid, palmitic acid and cholesterol. The seed lipids of C. annuum and A. melequeta can be used as edible oil and for industrial purposes.