Carbon dioxide concentrations are very high in developing oilseeds.

Carbon dioxide concentrations are very high in developing oilseeds.

Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB (2004-10-12)

Fernando D Goffman, Mike Ruckle, John Ohlrogge, Yair Shachar-Hill

ABSTRACT

A new method has been developed to rapidly determine the total inorganic carbon concentration (gaseous [CO2] + aqueous [CO(2)] + [HCO3-] + [CO3(2)-]) in developing seeds. Seeds are rapidly dissected and homogenized in 1 N HCl in gas-tight vials. The headspace gas is then analyzed by infrared gas analysis. Developing rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds were analyzed and found to have up to 40 and 12 mM total inorganic carbon, respectively. These concentrations are ca. 600-2000-fold higher than in ambient air or values reported for leaves. Carbon dioxide concentrations in rapeseed peaked during the stage of maximum oil synthesis and declined as seeds matured. The consequences for seed metabolism, physiology and carbon economy are discussed.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

27435

Supelco

Polypropylene limited volume vial, 2.5 mL, O.D. × H × I.D. 15 mm × 45 mm × 8 mm, thread for 13-425, pkg of 100 ea