BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF KAFIRINS IN LYSINE RICH CULTIVARS OF SORGHUM

摘要

Seed storage proteins from naturally occurring lysine rich cultivars selected for their resistance to (S)-2-aminoethyl-L-cysteine [1] were analysed biochemically and immunologically and compared with the cultivar White Martin (low lysine content) and a chemically induced high lysine mutant P721o [2]. Quantitative analysis of these cultivars indicated a 10-25% decrease in synthesis of the alcohol soluble proteins (kafirins and alcohol soluble reduced glutelins) and a two times increase in albumins and globulins without affecting the total protein content.