COMPARISON OF CATECHOLASE (PPO) ACTIVITY IN WHOLE SEEDS AND THEIR COMPONENTS (TESTA, COTYLEDON AND EMBRYO) OF FOUR LEGUME SPECIES FROM GENUS LUP/NUS

Catecholase activity was studied polarographically in whole seeds and their three laboratory separated components (seed testa, cotyledons and embryo) of Lupinus a/bus, Lupinus angustilo/ius, Lupinus /uteus and Lupinuspo/yphy//us. The weight of seeds and their components and hydration varied noticeably between species. The weight of seeds and their components is not visible in catecholase activity. This enzyme was active in whole seeds and their components but with different intensites. The smallest activity across the four species waS measured in Lupinus a/busand Lupinuspo/yphy//usand the highest in Lupinus /uteus. The smallest values were found in the embryo and the highest in the cotyledons (Lupinus a/bus, Lupinus angustilo/iusand Lupinus /uteus) and seed testa (Lupinus po/yphyJ/us). The present results indirectly provide evidence of the protective potential of seed catecholase activity in cells after mechanical destruction of seed cellular structures. The most relevant explanation for the differences in catecholase activity between lupin species would appear to be genetic. The activity of this enzyme can be used as a taxon parameter and gene expression marker, and has possible implications for use in the intensification of germination and in biotechnological and molecular applications of legumes