Amal Badshah

Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in germinating rapeseed cultivars

Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in irradiated and unirradiated germinating rapeseed cultivars was studied at ambient room temperature (20–35 °C). Appreciable quantities of ascorbic acid (19.8–24.1 mg/100 g) were detected in the seeds and synthesis of this vitamin increased significantly (three fold) with increasing germination time depending upon rapeseed cultivars (p<0.05). Soaking of seeds in tap water (1:2) for 24 hours resulted in the decrease of the vitamin in each case. Among the radiation treatments (0.05–0.20 kGy), maximum amounts of ascorbic acid were found in 0.10 kGy (342.1 mg/100 g dry weight) and 0.15 kGy (113.8 mg/100 g wet weight) samples after 96 hours of germination. An overall significant linear relation (r=0.96) was observed between vitamin biosynthesis and germination time upto 96 hours in rapeseed.