Globoids in Protein Bodies of Legume Seed Cotyledons

Abstract

Inclusions were found in protein bodies in cotyledons of seeds of each of five legume species (Acacia conferta, Cassia artemisioides, Clianthus formosus, Glycine max, Vicia faba). They were studied by a number of techniques: thin sectioning of fixed, embedded tissue; freeze-fracturing of unfixed tissue; chemical analysis of P, K, Mg and Ca content; and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of both sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed tissue and freeze-dried tissue powders. The results of the studies presented in this paper, combined with a critical evaluation of the published research on legume protein body structure, lead us to believe that globoid crystals are a frequent occurrence in legume protein bodies. EDX analysis results indicate that electron-dense globoid crystals are rich in phytin and that phytin may also be present throughout the proteinaceous matrix portions of some legume protein bodies.