Soluble carbohydrates in developing and mature diaspores of polar Caryophyllaceae and Poaceae

Abstract

The accumulation of soluble carbohydrates in maturing diaspores of flowering plants comprising Arctic populations of Cerastium alpinum, indigenous Antarctic species Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica, and cosmopolitan Poa annua from the Antarctic was investigated. For comparative purposes, the diaspores of two species of flowering plants growing in the area of Olsztyn (Poland), Poa annua (Poaceae) and Cerastium arvense (Caryophyllaceae) were used. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of soluble carbohydrates conducted by means of high-resolution gas chromatography showed that monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), maltose and sucrose, raffinose, myo-inositol and galactinol are ubiquitous in developing and mature diaspores among investigated species. Moreover, D. antarctica and P. annua caryopses additionally contained stachyose and 1-kestose; the seeds of Caryophyllaceae studied were found to contain D-pinitol and D-ononitol. The development and maturation of the seeds of polar Caryophyllaceae and Poaceae were accompanied by the changes in the concentration of their soluble carbohydrates. During maturation, seeds accumulated galactinol and raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs), except C. quitensis. Although seeds of the studied Caryophyllaceae contained D-pinitol and lower amounts of D-ononitol, they did not accumulate a-D-galactoside derivatives of mentioned cyclitols. P. annua caryopses, occurring in the Antarctic, were found to accumulate considerably higher amounts of sucrose and 1-kestose than those developed in Olsztyn.

Characterization and oxidative stability of oils and bioactive compounds of the fruits ofByrsonima cydoniifoliaA. Juss. at different ripening stages

“…For being an unstable compound, it is common that losses occur during ripening due to oxidative processes . Considering our results, the three stages can be considered to have high ascorbic acid contents because they exceed 0.50 g kg −1 ; hence, these fruits can be considered an alternative source to reach the daily recommendations of vitamin C intake …”

“…During ripening, the fruits of B. cydoniifolia showed a decrease in this parameter, so the ripe stage significantly differed from the others. This can be associated with the reduction in the contents of polysaccharides during ripening occurs because they serve as an energy source for the processes of plant growth and development …”

“…This can be associated with the reduction in the contents of polysaccharides during ripening occurs because they serve as an energy source for the processes of plant growth and development. 23 In regard to the lipidic content, the fruits of B. cydoniifolia presented relevant quantities in the composition of their lipids, especially at the ripe stage, being a potential alternative source of vegetable oil. Our results were superior to those reported for wileyonlinelibrary.com/jsfa Note: The results are expressed as the means ± standard deviation.…”

“…28 Considering our results, the three stages can be considered to have high ascorbic acid contents because they exceed 0.50 g kg −1 ; hence, these fruits can be considered an alternative source to reach the daily recommendations of vitamin C intake. 23 The carotenoids are liposoluble pigments that confer yellow, orange, and red colors and act as antioxidants in foods. 31 The ripe fruits of B. cydoniifolia had the highest content of total carotenoids.…”

The effects of methanesulfonic acid on seed germination and morphophysiological changes in the seedlings of two Colobanthus species

“…Tolerance to environmental stressors determines seed germination and the growth and development of plants. Tolerance to abiotic stress is conditioned by various factors, including biochemical factors (proline, soluble sugars), physiological factors (photosynthesis), plant growth rate (height), and biomass production [10]. Polar plants are model species for investigating responses to environmental stressors because they are continuously exposed to harsh and changeable microhabitat conditions, and their adaptive capabilities have been studied for many years [2,5,11,12].…”