ARS | Publication request: ULTRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF STARCH GRANULES IN PEANUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L. NC 7) COTYLEDONARY CELLS

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 8, 2005
Publication Date: June 25, 2006
Citation: Young, C.T., Schadel, W.E., Pattee, H., Sanders, T.H. 2006. Ultrastructural development of starch granules in peanut (arachis hypogaea l. nc 7) cotyledonary cells. Peanut Science 33:60-63.

Interpretive Summary: Metabolism of sugar in plant seeds is important because of the uses of seed in foods. Peanut seed were examined in an attempt to determine more about the location of the synthesis of starch. Peanut seed cells were observed with transmission and scanning electron microscopy during starch granule formation. Developing starch granules were primarily electron translucent, and both simple and compound starch granules were observed. Fully developed starch granules were observed during both early and late stages of seed development. Information from this study suggests that electron dense material in certain locations in the developing starch granules may be ultrastructural evidence of the location of enzymes involved in the synthesis of starch.

Technical Abstract: Peanut cotyledonary cells were observed with transmission and scanning electron microscopy during starch granule formation. Developing starch granules were primarily electron translucent, and both simple and compound granules were observed. Fully developed starch granules were observed during both early and late stages of seed development. Major findings include observation of electron dense material within the stroma of developing starch granules that may be ultrastructural evidence of the location of enzymes involved in the synthesis of starch.