Manganese and Iron in Globoid Crystals of Protein Bodies From Avena and Casuarina

Abstract

The storage protein bodies of plant seeds usually contain globoid crystals with a high content of phytin, a rich store of Mg, P, K and Ca. By energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Mn and Fe have now been located in the globoid crystals of protein bodies in the seed embryos of Avena sativa and Casuarina species. Their levels in sections of globoids, relative to the levels of the major elements present, is consistent with their relative levels stored in whole seeds of various species as determined by chemical analysis.