EFFECT OF INHIBITORS ON THE RESPIRATION AND STORAGE OF COTTONSEED

Abstract

Treatment of cottonseed with ammonia inhibited the respiration and lipolysis of mature seeds and reduced the light absorption at 360 m[mu] of the extracted oil. Similar treatment of immature cottonseed inhibited respiration but stimulated lipolysis. The vapors of Nacconol NR were found to inhibit lipolysis in cottonseed under conditions where there was a stimulation of respiration. Other fungicides which were tested had no effect on the lipolysis rate and some stimulated respiration. On the basis of the differential effect obtained by inhibitors and of the differences in the behavior of normal and immature seeds, it has been suggested that most of the deterioration which takes place in stored cottonseed is due to the action of enzymes in the seeds rather than to microbial activity.