Nondestructive Determination of Protein Content of Viable Seeds by Proton Enhanced 13C NMR

Abstract

Abstract13C, NMR, Protein Content, Seeds Proton enhanced 13C NMR spectroscopy was used for a non-destructive determination of the protein content in single viable soybean, horse-bean, bean and com seeds. The intense 13C oil lines were suppressed by a series of saturating pulses and spin temperature reversal so that only the 13C protein and carbohydrate signals of the solid part of the seed were detected. Significant seed to seed variations in the protein content were found which can be used as a basis for rapid seed selection in plant breeding programs.