Formation of the Endosperm Galactomannan in Leguminous Seeds: Preliminary Communications

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Abstract
We have studied the formation of the reserve galactomannan in the endosperm of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds biochemically and by optical and electron microscopy. The galactomannan begins to be formed at an early stage of seed maturation, corresponding to the early dicotyledonous stage of embryo development, and continues until the seeds are mature but still green. The galactomannan is a cell wall polysaccharide which continues to be formed until the reserve cells of the endosperm are completely filled with it. The inner reserve cells—next to the embryo—are the first to be filled, and those bordering on the aleurone layer the last. In the mature seeds all the endosperm cells are filled with galactomannan except for those which are part of the aleurone layer. The cytoplasm of a cell which is actively synthesising galactomannan contains numerous vesicles containing galactomannan-like material. They fuse with the plasmalemma and are probably golgi-vesicles.