Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-23Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:04:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 luz_pb_dr_jabo.pdf: 299584 bytes, checksum: 523f53f6e05f36d85c16c6d8b5107ff9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A palmeira real australiana (Archontophoenix cunninghamii H. Wendl. & Drude) é uma das palmeiras exóticas de maior utilização no paisagismo e nos últimos tempos tem despertado grande interesse também no cultivo para a produção de palmito, aumentando a procura por mudas. Embora seja uma palmeira de grande interesse ornamental e comercial, ainda pairam muitas dúvidas relacionadas à produção de mudas. Não há informações científicas sobre os padrões de teste de germinação, como temperatura, substrato, morfologia do diásporo e das plântulas e o comportamento das sementes submetidas ao armazenamento. Desta forma o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a germinação de sementes, bem como, a morfologia do diásporo (semente com o endocarpo aderido) e da plântula de A. cunninghamii. Para estudo do efeito da temperatura, foram avaliadas seis regimes de temperaturas (20ºC, 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC, 20-30ºC e 25-35ºC), utilizando como substrato vermiculita; o delineamento adotado foi inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repetições de 25 sementes. Para o estudo dos substratos, foram avaliados três substratos (areia, vermiculita e esfagno), na temperatura alternada de 25-35ºC; o delineamento adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 7 repetições de 25 sementes. Para o estudo do efeito da embebição das sementes aproximadamente 1000 sementes foram colocadas para embeber em água destilada, a cada 1 dia uma amostra de 100 sementes era colocada para germinar, onde o período máximo de embebição foi de 7 dias. O experimento contou com 8 tratamentos: semeadura logo após a colheita e de 1 a 7 dias após onde foi utilizado 4 repetições de 25 sementes cada. Para o estudo do armazenamento o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado; com 12 tratamentos (semeadura logo após a colheita e a cada 30 dias durante 11 meses) e 4 repetições de 25 sementes... / The Australian real palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii H. Wendl. & Drude) has a major use in landscaping. Among producers because of its possibility as an alternative for the production of palm heart, which leads to an increase in the demand for its seedlings. This palm tree is of great ornamental and commercial interest, there are still many unknown aspects related to seedling production. There is no scientific information about the germination tests such as temperature, germination medium, seedling morphology or the seed behavior during storage. For the study of temperature effect, six temperatures regimes (20ºC, 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC, 20-30ºC and 25- 35ºC) were evaluated, using vermiculite as the germination medium. A completely randomized design with four replicates of 25 seeds each was adopted. Three germination media were analyzed (sand, vermiculite and sphagnum) at an alternate temperature of 25-35ºC. For the study of the germination medium, the design adopted was the completely randomized design with seven replicates of 25 seeds each. For the study of the effect of soaking of the seeds, a seedlot containing approximately 1000 seeds was kept in distilled water. Each day, a sample containing 100 seeds was set to germinate. The maximum period of soaking was of seven days, which means that the experiment had eight treatments: sowing right after the harvesting and from day 1 to day 7 after the harvesting, where four replicates of 25 seeds were used for each day. For the storage study, the experimental design used was the completely randomized design (12 periods of storage) with four repetitions of 25 seeds. The seeds were placed in impermeable packages (bags of transparent polyethylene) and were stored in a refrigerated chamber. The storage lasted for 11 months and at every 30 days, samples containing 140 seeds were taken out. From these 140 seeds, 100 were taken... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Sorghum is a valuable grain crop and a principle source of food of particular importance in human and animal nutrition in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. Despite its value, sorghum grain quality is a major limitation to its productivity and profitability. Sorghum grain is usually discounted as feed grain when compared to wheat and barley, predominantly because of its poor digestibility. The sorghum endosperm is composed of a complex starch protein matrix, whereby the starch is physically bound within the storage proteins, the kafirins. The kafirins are synthesised on the membrane bound polysomes and have a signal peptide which targets them to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Growth of protein bodies occur as - kafirins fill in the interior with  and γ kafirins occupy the periphery. Despite the -kafirins being more digestible and composing of 60- 80% of the kafirins, they are not easily accessible due to  and γ kafirins which have a high content of intermolecular disulphide bonds (S-S), rendering them highly resistant to proteases. Alteration of the structure of the protein bodies and change of the location of the-kafirins could result in a higher digestibility of sorghum proteins. This could be achieved by upregulating or downregulating the -kafirins. The improvement of grain quality, both in increased protein and starch digestibility would substantially enhance the digestibility of sorghum as animal feed as well as for human consumption. Various techniques have been utilised to classify the kafirins according to their mobility on SDS PAGE electrophoresis, Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), Free Zone Capillary Electrophoresis (FZCE) and Lab on Chip. Until recently the characterisation and classification of the kafirins generally have relied on the characterisation of zeins from maize. Zeins have about 70% homology to the kafirins both at the nucleotide and amino acid level. Based on the high similarity of the -kafirins to the -zeins, the - kafirins have been classified as 19 and 22 kDa. Despite their 70% homology the migration of the - kafirins on SDS PAGE is quite different to that of the zeins. Hence, I propose a new classification of the -kafirins as 23 kDa and 25 kDa based on their mobility on SDS PAGE Characterisation and cloning of the 23 and 25 kDa genes was performed using QL41 the Queensland inbred line of sorghum. Ten positive clones were isolated from a cDNA library for the 25 kDa and two clones for the 23 kDa -kafirins. The isolated clones of the 25 kDa -kafirins showed 98-99% homology with each other and also with the GenBank sequences. The major finding was the characterisation of the 23 kDa -kafirins. The two clones obtained showed 100% homology to each other as well as to the published sequences on the GenBank, and were full-length sequences. Also a partial sequence was obtained that lacked the signal peptide and was different to the other two clones. Whilst characterising the 23 kDa a second group of the 25 kDa -kafirins was identified from the genomic DNA, of all the three genotypes (QL41, 296B and QL12), which was unique from the previously isolated clones. This group of -kafirins was not among the cluster but was 5’ upstream of the cluster. This group had a higher content of the glutamine compared with the other 25 kDa group. The expression level was studied to show how each gene family contributed to the level of - kafirins. QL41 and 296B were used for this study. From the studies it was shown that the 23 kDa - kafirins genes were 20% more expressed than the 25 kDa. An attempt to identify suitable markers for the -kafirins was investigated using RFLP and SSR analysis. Thirty-two different genotypes were utilised for this study. The observed variation indicated by cluster analysis (4-38%) clearly showed variation of the -kafirins in genotype and within the kafirin genes as elucidated by the sequences in Chapter 4. Markers able to identify this variation could help in the selection of highly digestible mutants. Hence, there is potential for sorghum grain improvement using marker-assisted breeding. The need to identify a tissue specific promoter was essential, especially for a strong promoter that could drive expression in the endosperm of the monocots. A vector construct consisting of the - kafirin promoter driving the GUS reporter genes was used for transient expression from QL41. This was assessed in the sorghum and barley calli, sorghum endosperm and leaves and corn endosperm. Tissue specific expression as well as higher levels of transient expression were seen using the - kafirin promoter, compared with the ubiquitin promoter. Preliminary experiments have illustrated the potential use of a gene silencing mechanism that could enhance the digestibility of sorghum grain. The 25 kDa -kafirin gene was used as the target for gene silencing using the mechanism of iRNA. Transformation constructs were developed using the throughput vector pSTARGATE in an effort to silence the 25 kDa -kafirins. The characterisation of the -kafirins has provided valuable information for future sorghum improvement research.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p.62-71).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-12-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:45:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 pimenta_rs_dr_jabo.pdf: 1216495 bytes, checksum: 15b7183b860c530862c6b5d59b1b5a33 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A palmeira Dypsis leptocheilos (Hodel) Beentje & J. Dransf. é muito valorizada como ornamental. A propagação é por sementes, no entanto, há poucas informações sobre este processo. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar aspectos morfológicos e o efeito da temperatura, do substrato e do armazenamento na germinação de sementes de Dypsis leptocheilos (Hodel) Beentje & J. Dransf. O experimento foi realizado na Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista – FCAV/UNESP, Campus de Jaboticabal - SP. Foram realizados 4 estudos: 1) aspectos morfológicos; 2) efeito da temperatura; sendo o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado; com 6 tratamentos (temperatura do ambiente de laboratório, 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC, 20-30ºC e 25-35ºC); utilizou-se fibra de coco como substrato; 3) efeito do substrato; com delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado; foram 4 tratamentos (fibra de coco, areia, vermiculita média e plantimax®); utilizou-se a temperatura de 30ºC; 4) efeito do armazenamento: o delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado; foram 5 tratamentos (4 meses de armazenamento e semeadura em seguida à colheita); utilizou-se vermiculita média como substrato e temperatura do ambiente de laboratório. Para os estudos 2, 3 e 4 foram utilizados 4 repetições de 25 diásporos (semente com o endocarpo aderido). Foi determinado o teor de água em todas as condições. Para todos os estudos, exceto morfologia, a reposição de água nos substratos foi feita mantendo 100% da capacidade de retenção; foi feita a contagem de sementes germinadas a cada 2 dias adotando-se como critério de germinação o aparecimento do botão germinativo para determinação da porcentagem de germinação (%) e Índice de Velocidade de Germinação (IVG). Para o estudo do efeito da temperatura e do substrato, foram anotados, ainda, ao final... / Dypsis leptocheilos (Hodel) Beentje & J. Dransf is a palm highly valued as ornamental. The propagation is by seed. However, there is little information on this process. The objective of this work was to study the morphology, the effect of temperature, substrate and storage on germination of D. leptocheilos seeds. The experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP/Jaboticabal. The 4 studies conducted were: 1) morphology; 2) temperature effect: the experimental design was randomized with 6 treatments (laboratory condition temperature, 25 ºC, 30 ºC, 35 ºC, 20-30 ºC and 25-35 ºC) and using coconut fiber as substrate; 3) substrate effect, the experimental design was randomized with 4 treatments (coconut fiber, sand, vermiculite and Plantmax ®) and using a temperature of 30 ºC; 4) storage effect: the experimental design was randomized with 5 treatments (4 months of storage and then sowing after harvest) and using vermiculite as substrate in laboratory condition temperature and 4 replications of 25 disseminules to study 2, 3 and 4. For all studies, except for morphology, water replacement in the substrate was made by keeping 100% of the capacity of retention and was made a count of germinated seeds every 2 days being adopted as a criterion of germination the germinative button. To study the effect of temperature and substrate were determined percentage of germination (%G), speed of germination index (SGI), leaf area (cm2), root length and shoot (cm), leaf dry mass (g) and root dry mass (g). The statistical analysis was performed (except for morphology) to study the effect of temperature and substrate, the means were compared using the Tukey test and for storage, polynomial regression was performed. It was concluded that germination of D. leptocheilos is adjacent ligular type, and the condition that provided the greatest percentage and speed of seed... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientadora: Kathia Fernandes Lopes Pivetta / Banca: Roberto Jun Takane / Banca: Claudia Fabrino Machado Mattiuz / Banca: Armando Reis Tavares / Banca: Paulo Roberto Corrêa Landgraf / Resumo: A palmeira real australiana (Archontophoenix cunninghamii H. Wendl. & Drude) é uma das palmeiras exóticas de maior utilização no paisagismo e nos últimos tempos tem despertado grande interesse também no cultivo para a produção de palmito, aumentando a procura por mudas. Embora seja uma palmeira de grande interesse ornamental e comercial, ainda pairam muitas dúvidas relacionadas à produção de mudas. Não há informações científicas sobre os padrões de teste de germinação, como temperatura, substrato, morfologia do diásporo e das plântulas e o comportamento das sementes submetidas ao armazenamento. Desta forma o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a germinação de sementes, bem como, a morfologia do diásporo (semente com o endocarpo aderido) e da plântula de A. cunninghamii. Para estudo do efeito da temperatura, foram avaliadas seis regimes de temperaturas (20ºC, 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC, 20-30ºC e 25-35ºC), utilizando como substrato vermiculita; o delineamento adotado foi inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repetições de 25 sementes. Para o estudo dos substratos, foram avaliados três substratos (areia, vermiculita e esfagno), na temperatura alternada de 25-35ºC; o delineamento adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com 7 repetições de 25 sementes. Para o estudo do efeito da embebição das sementes aproximadamente 1000 sementes foram colocadas para embeber em água destilada, a cada 1 dia uma amostra de 100 sementes era colocada para germinar, onde o período máximo de embebição foi de 7 dias. O experimento contou com 8 tratamentos: semeadura logo após a colheita e de 1 a 7 dias após onde foi utilizado 4 repetições de 25 sementes cada. Para o estudo do armazenamento o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado; com 12 tratamentos (semeadura logo após a colheita e a cada 30 dias durante 11 meses) e 4 repetições de 25 sementes... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Australian real palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamii H. Wendl. & Drude) has a major use in landscaping. Among producers because of its possibility as an alternative for the production of palm heart, which leads to an increase in the demand for its seedlings. This palm tree is of great ornamental and commercial interest, there are still many unknown aspects related to seedling production. There is no scientific information about the germination tests such as temperature, germination medium, seedling morphology or the seed behavior during storage. For the study of temperature effect, six temperatures regimes (20ºC, 25ºC, 30ºC, 35ºC, 20-30ºC and 25- 35ºC) were evaluated, using vermiculite as the germination medium. A completely randomized design with four replicates of 25 seeds each was adopted. Three germination media were analyzed (sand, vermiculite and sphagnum) at an alternate temperature of 25-35ºC. For the study of the germination medium, the design adopted was the completely randomized design with seven replicates of 25 seeds each. For the study of the effect of soaking of the seeds, a seedlot containing approximately 1000 seeds was kept in distilled water. Each day, a sample containing 100 seeds was set to germinate. The maximum period of soaking was of seven days, which means that the experiment had eight treatments: sowing right after the harvesting and from day 1 to day 7 after the harvesting, where four replicates of 25 seeds were used for each day. For the storage study, the experimental design used was the completely randomized design (12 periods of storage) with four repetitions of 25 seeds. The seeds were placed in impermeable packages (bags of transparent polyethylene) and were stored in a refrigerated chamber. The storage lasted for 11 months and at every 30 days, samples containing 140 seeds were taken out. From these 140 seeds, 100 were taken... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

O tratamento de sementes pode ser uma importante técnica para o fornecimento de micronutrientes na cultura do milho (Zea mays L.), sendo capaz de promover um melhor estabelecimento da cultura no campo. Solos contendo níveis insuficientes de zinco e de cobre para as plantas são frequentes em grande parte das regiões agrícolas do Brasil e do mundo. Deste modo, o fornecimento destes elementos via sementes pode ser uma alternativa viável e eficaz para produtores de milho. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes tratamentos de sementes de milho contendo Zn e Cu, considerando aspectos relacionados à qualidade fisiológica das sementes e à eficiência nutricional. Para tal, foram utilizados quatro lotes do híbrido 2B688Hx, apresentando diferenças quanto ao tamanho e vigor das sementes. Os tratamentos foram compostos por diferentes dosagens e combinações de suspensões líquidas contendo óxido de Zn e carbonato de Cu, fornecidos juntos ou separadamente. Os lotes foram avaliados pelo teor de água das sementes, germinação e teste de frio em cinco épocas: 0, 30, 60, 180 e 360 dias. Nas três primeiras épocas, também foram realizados os testes de emergência de plântulas, velocidade de emergência de plântulas e análises do crescimento de raiz por meio do software SVIS®. O desenvolvimento inicial das plantas foi avaliado pela altura, área foliar e massa seca de raiz e de parte aérea. Os dados de massa seca associados aos teores de Zn e de Cu nos tecidos permitiram calcular as eficiências de absorção, transporte e utilização dos mesmos. A qualidade fisiológica de sementes de milho tratadas com Zn e Cu, isoladamente ou associados, não é afetada ao longo de doze meses de armazenamento; por outro lado, o Cu utilizado isoladamente causa fitotoxicidade quando a avaliação é realizada tendo o papel como substrato, afetando principalmente o desenvolvimento radicular das plântulas. O tratamento de sementes com zinco e cobre se constitui em alternativa viável e eficaz para o fornecimento destes elementos para as plantas de milho. / Seed treatment is a potential tool for supplying micronutrients on maize crop (Zea mays L.), enabling a better plant stand establishment in the field. Soils presenting insufficient levels of zinc and copper to plants are common in various agricultural regions throughout Brazil and the world. Thus, the supply of such elements via seeds can be viable and effective for maize crop. This study aimed to evaluate different maize seed treatments containing Zn and Cu, related to the effects on seeds physiological quality and nutritional efficiency. Thus, four seeds lots of the corn hybrid 2B688Hx, differing in size and vigor, were used for this study. The treatments were composed of liquid suspensions containing Zn oxide and Cu carbonate, applied together or separately at different dosages. The lots were evaluated by seed moisture, germination and cold test in five periods: 0, 30, 60, 180 and 360 days. Seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed and image analysis of root growth (software SVIS®) were also performed in the first three periods. The plants development was assessed by height, leaf area and dry weight of roots and shoots. The efficiencies of absorption, transport and utilization were calculated with the data of seedlings dry weight and tissues content of Zn and Cu. The physiological quality of maize seeds is not affected by the treatments containing Zn and Cu, together or separated, during the twelve-month storage period; on the other hand, the treatments containing only Cu caused phytotoxicity on paper-based tests, affecting mainly the seedlings root development. Seed treatment with zinc and copper is a viable and effective approach for supplying these elements to maize plants.

Muitas espécies de pimentas vermelhas do gênero Capsicum são utilizadas em práticas medicinais tradicionais. Essas plantas são empregadas em algumas preparações para tratar uma variedade de doenças, incluindo infecções. Algumas bactérias produzem biofilme como um importante fator de virulência, pois a estrutura do biofilme intermedia a adesão bacteriana a superfícies, como em dispositivos implantados, sondas e cateteres além de promover proteção física contra os antibióticos ou as respostas do sistema imunológico. Dessa maneira, este estudo investigou a capacidade do extrato e de produtos isolados das sementes de Capsicum baccatum como agentes antibiofilme. Este estudo demonstra, pela primeira vez, que um extrato de C. baccatum apresentou importante atividade antibiofilme contra Staphylococcus epidermidis e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A fração ativa foi obtida através de ensaios bioguiados e analisada por HPLC-DAD-MS, MALDI-TOF MS e MALDI-MS/MS, identificando-a como peptídeos da proteína 2S sulfur-rich seed storage protein 2-like. Estes peptídeos (2mg/ml) foram potentes no controle da formação de biofilme de S. epidermidis (>96%) em solução e adsorvidos em lâminas de Permanox® recobertas. De modo interessante, não inibiram o crescimento bacteriano, indicando que a inibição do biofilme é independente da morte celular bacteriana. Ainda, esses peptídeos foram capazes de preservar eritrócitos, bem como a integridade de linfócitos humanos após 24 e 48 horas de exposição, demonstrando que o fracionamento do extrato de C. baccatum potencializou a sua atividade antibiofilme e reduziu significativamente a sua citotoxicidade. Nossos resultados corroboram com a pesquisa de novas estratégias não antibióticas para combater microrganismos com reduzida possibilidade para o desenvolvimento de resistência. / Many species of Capsicum red peppers are used in traditional medicinal practices. These plants are utilized in a number of preparations to treat a variety of illnesses including infections. Some bacteria produce biofilm as an important virulence factor, due to this its structure mediates the adhesion to surfaces as implanted devices, probes, catheters and also promotes physical protection against the antibiotics or the immune system response. Accordingly, this study investigated the ability of the extract and isolated products from seeds of Capsicum baccatum as anti-biofilm agent. This study demonstrates by the first time that an extract from C. baccatum presented relevant anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The active fraction was obtained by bio-guided assays and analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS, MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI-MS/MS, identifying it as peptides from 2S sulfur-rich seed storage protein 2-like. It strongly controlled (2mg/ml) the S. epidermidis biofilm formation (>96%) when the compound was in solution and adsorbed on Permanox™ slides. Interestingly, it did not inhibit the growth of this bacterium, indicating the inhibition of biofilm is independent of bacterial cell death. Moreover, this peptides preserved human erythrocytes and lymphocytes integrity after 24-48 h of exposure, suggesting the fractionation potentiated the anti-biofilm activity of the C. baccatum crude extract while absolutely reduced its cytotoxicity. Our results corroborate to the search of new non-antibiotic strategies to combat microorganisms with a reduced pressure for resistance development.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:58:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2005-Marta Bruno Loureiro.pdf: 2008902 bytes, checksum: 98c5d8a1e29a820780c9fe727ebed874 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-08-29 / Funda??o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Apuleia leiocarpa is a forestall specie commonly known as grapia and garapa. Its trees are widely spread over Brazilian territory occurring more specifically on rain forest formations with seasonal semidecidious characteristics. Garapa seeds are an important source of medicinal substances as well as used for ornamental and environmental recovery purposes. It has been used on both tanning and timber industry and notably its natural populations have deeply decreased its growth due to massive exploitation. In this context, this work aimed to evaluate the development of A. leiocarpa seeds during the maturation phase. Researches were conducted for two successive crop years (2002 and 2003) and also analyzed seeds performance under specific storage conditions and the physiological quality of seeds. This scientific study results might be used as database information to guide the elaboration of specie s preservation proposals. Research samples were collected at Tingu? Biological Reserve, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and biological analysis and tests were performed at Seeds Analysis Laboratory of Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro at Serop?dica city, Brazil. This work results concludes that A. leiocarpa seeds physiological maturity was achieved within 98 days after anthesis (98DAA) in 2002. In 2003 it was not able to objectively determine the seeds maturity cycle. Seeds harvests are recommended as soon as fruits aspect changes from green-yellow to brown color combined with a higher proportion of brown seeds availability. The most efficient technique to overcome seed dormancy was the use of immersion treatment into concentrated sulphuric acid during 20 minutes. It was not observed any influence of either testa color or its size on A. leiocarpa seed germination process. The use of half-permeably packaging (polyethylene bags) under a nominal temperature of 18?C and 50% relative humidity was considered the most appropriate storage condition to A. leiocarpa seeds. / Apuleia leiocarpa ? uma esp?cie florestal, conhecida como gr?pia e garapa, que apresenta ampla distribui??o geogr?fica no territ?rio brasileiro, ocorrendo na mata atl?ntica, nas forma??es caracter?sticas da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. A esp?cie apresenta import?ncia na industria madeireira e de curtume, possui indica??es de uso medicinal, ornamental e em plantios para recupera??o ambiental. No entanto, foi extra?da de forma maci?a, e suas popula??es naturais sofreram diminui??o significativa. Diante desta situa??o, os objetivos deste trabalho foram acompanhar a matura??o das sementes de Apuleia leiocarpa em dois anos de produ??o (2002 e 2003), avaliar o comportamento das sementes durante o armazenamento e analisar os fatores intr?nsecos ?s sementes que afetam sua qualidade fisiol?gica, a fim de gerar informa??es que possam nortear a elabora??o de propostas para a conserva??o da esp?cie. As coletas foram realizadas na Reserva Biol?gica do Tingu?, RJ e os ensaios conduzidos no Laborat?rio de An?lise de Sementes da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ. Com base nos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que a maturidade fisiol?gica das sementes de Apuleia leiocarpa foi atingida aos 98 DAA no ano de 2002 e n?o pode ser determinada em 2003. ? recomend?vel que a coleta de sementes seja realizada a partir do momento em que ocorre a mudan?a de colora??o dos frutos de verdeamarelo para marrom, juntamente com aparecimento da maior propor??o de sementes com colora??o marrom A escarifica??o com ?cido sulf?rico concentrado por vinte minutos, foi considerado o tratamento mais indicado para a supera??o da dorm?ncia de sementes. Nem o tamanho das sementes, nem a colora??o do tegumento influenciaram a porcentagem de germina??o de sementes de Apuleia leiocarpa. . A embalagem semiperme?vel sob c?mara seca (18?C e U.R. de 50%), foi considerada a condi??o mais adequada para a conserva??o de sementes de Apuleia leiocarpa.

ssp-1 is a seed storage protein mutant which is deficient in one of the major seed storage proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, the 12S cruciferins. To determine if this mutant can drive a higher level expression of a transgene than that found in wild type, the mutant was transformed with the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) gene and single copy PHA homozygotes were identified. These PHA transformants were crossed to wild type so that each PHA gene would be in the same copy number and chromosomal context in a wild type background. Immunoblotting was employed to compare the PHA levels of the single copy transformants in both genetic backgrounds. PHA levels ranged from 4.52% to 7.7% of the total protein in transformants. Two of the transformants showed 30.33% and 44.18% more PHA than that of their backcross. Therefore, a mutant such as ssp-1 may provide a means for overexpression of foreign proteins.

ssp-1 is a seed storage protein mutant which is deficient in one of the major seed storage proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, the 12S cruciferins. To determine if this mutant can drive a higher level expression of a transgene than that found in wild type, the mutant was transformed with the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) gene and single copy PHA homozygotes were identified. These PHA transformants were crossed to wild type so that each PHA gene would be in the same copy number and chromosomal context in a wild type background. Immunoblotting was employed to compare the PHA levels of the single copy transformants in both genetic backgrounds. PHA levels ranged from 4.52% to 7.7% of the total protein in transformants. Two of the transformants showed 30.33% and 44.18% more PHA than that of their backcross. Therefore, a mutant such as ssp-1 may provide a means for overexpression of foreign proteins.