Activity and localization of some hydrolytic enzymes during the development of Iris pseudoacorus endosperm

Abstract

The changes in the activity of some hydrolytic enzymes during the development of Iris pseudoacorus endosperm were investigated using biochemical and cytochemical methods. In the early stages of development the chalazal pole shows a greater enzymatic activity than the micropylar pole. These differences decline as the seeds mature, and the activity of the studied enzymes becomes lower as the endosperm develops. Considerable activity of ß-galactosidase has been observed at the time of deposition of storage hemi-celluloses in the cell walls of the endosperm. Activity of the cytochemically datectable -hydrolases is localised in granules up to 2μ in diameter. Cytochemical observations in the electron microscope indicate that the activity of acid phosphatase is associated with spherosomes.