Desiccation method and cryoconservation affects amino acids composition of embryonic axes of Phaseolus vulgaris L and Arachis hypogaea L.

The effect of seeds desiccation and cryopreservation on amino acids content in embryonic axes of two Leguminosae of great economic importance, Phaseolus vulgaris L and Arachis hypogaea L, was studied. Proline content in bean embryonic axes was higher, at 24 h of germination, in the control than in those from desiccated and cryopreserved seeds. There were, later, a proline decrease in the control and embryonic axes from desiccated seeds while increased in axes from cryopreserved seeds. In groundnut, at 24 h, in the control and in embryonic axes from cryopreserved seeds, proline content was lower than in those obtained from desiccated seeds. Absolute glutamate content in bean embryonic axes, was much higherwhen seeds were dried at 45 °C. In groundnut, the control showed the highest values with a clear increase in the content of glutamate, in all cases, at 72 h. The relative content of 16 amino acids, showed, in bean, a generalized decrease compared to control at 24 h, except asparagine that increased when the seeds were dried at 45ºC. In groundnut,the results were more heterogeneous. The results suggest that some amino acids may have a role in adaptation to stressful conditions, especially in the suborthodox species