Kinetics of seed reserve compounds during the maturation of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) seeds

Abstract

Abstract: Seeds of many peony species contain a large amount of oil. However, the exploiting of its potential for oil production is hampered by a lack of basic information regarding the developmental biology of the seeds. Our aim was to obtain a detailed relationship between seed development and accumulation of various storage compounds of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Hangshao’ seed. Seeds were collected at five developmental stages including 30 days after flowering (DAF), 45 DAF, 60 DAF, 75 DAF and 90 DAF. Anatomical and histological analysis, seed weight and water content, proteins, starch, and fatty acids contents were determinated. The time span of seed development for P. lactiflora ‘Hangshao’ was 90 DAF. Seeds were physiologically mature by 75 DAF, with maximum dry matter content. During seed development, the starch and lipid content showed an increased and then decrease pattern, while they reached their maximum content differed with starch for 60 DAF and lipid for 75 DAF. Protein content showed a slight decreased and then increased pattern. Lipid was the main storage reserve of mature seeds. A total of 26 kinds of fatty acid were detected and among which, seven kinds was all more than 100 mg.Kg-1 in all developmental seeds. Those seven fatty acids were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, trans-oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and erucic acid. Besides, the content of α-linolenic acid accounted for more than 40% of the total fatty acid content in each stage.