CARBOXYLESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE CARROT SEED AND SEEDLING

This study shows that carboxylesterase activity is correlated to the d ifferentiation of primary vascular tissue; it was also observed in epi dermal cells, located between the outer and inner integuments and in t he endosperm cells of carrot seed, and in seedlings. Our data support the idea that the detection of carboxylesterase activity associated wi th the detection of other enzymes related to secondary wall formation can be used as a molecular marker for the study of vascular differenti ation, but cannot be used as an exclusive highly specific marker.