PROTEIN BODIES IN DATURA-STRAMONIUM SEEDS - STRUCTURE AND MINERAL NUTRIENT COMPOSITION

The structure of protein bodies in the endosperm and embryo of Datura stramonium was studied with a variety of light- and electron-microscopic techniques. Protein bodies had one to several globoid crystals and one or two protein crystalloids in the proteinaceous matrix. Although the embryo protein bodies rarely had more than two globoid crystals, the endosperm protein bodies had varying sizes and numbers of globoid crystals, even within the same cell. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of globoid crystals revealed the presence of P, K, and Mg in all cases. Traces of Fe, Mn, and Zn were also found in globoid crystals of protein bodies from certain cell types. The distribution patterns of these three elements were quite specific; for example, Mn traces were found only in the globoid crystals of the protoderm. Neutron-activation analysis of endosperm and embryo tissues was used to quantitatively measure the concentration of Ca, Cl, Cu, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, and S. The results from structural studies and the element analysis studies are discussed in the context of solanaceous seeds in particular but also with relation to seeds in general.