Changes in soluble esterases during germination of ragi (Eleusine coracana Gaertn.)

Changes in esterase activity, isozyme patterns, and sol. proteins of shoot and endosperm of ragi seeds were studied during germination. Significant differences in both esterase activity and isozyme patterns between shoot and endosperm were obsd. In endosperm, max. esterase activity was obsd. on the 3rd day of germination, showing a total of 5 bands. In addn., a new band of esterase activity appeared on the 4th day of germination in spite of the subsequent gradual decrease in esterase activity. Compared to endosperm, shoots contained only 3 bands exhibiting greater esterase activity in the earlier stages of germination. Activities of these enzymes decreased in both the tissues at later stages of germination with the disappearance of some bands. Variations obsd. in the esterase activity of the 2 tissues indicate that these enzymes have important roles in ragi seed germination