Effect of the storage at low temperatures on the germination and antioxidant activity of Geum urbanum seeds

摘要

The effect of low temperatures (chilling 4o and freezing -75oC) on germination and antioxidantactivity of medicinal Geum urbanum seeds was investigated. In the recent years, the interest for theconservation of medicinal plants was increased. Thus, the maintenance of seed viability during ex situconservation is essential for the preservation of the medicinal plants and their genetic diversity. In ourcase, storage at chilling and freezing temperatures improved the germination percentage from 46%(seeds stored at room temperature) to 100% (seeds stored at -75oC). Also, the amylase activity washigher (1.06 and 1.10 U/ml) compared to the seeds stored at room temperature (0.63 U/ml). Theantioxidant activity increased after chilling storage from 23.29893 mM Trolox/g to 25.0544 mMTrolox/g and decreased to 19.39789 mM Trolox/g after freezing storage. These values were notcorrelated with the germination percentage. The study indicated that the exposure at low temperatureimproved the germination capacity and biochemical particularities of seeds initially stored at roomtemperature, so cold temperatures could be an efficient storage method for G. urbanum seeds.