EFFECT OF LINOLEIC, LINOLENIC AND JASMONIC ACID ON THE PRODUCTION OF ALPHA-GALACTOSIDASE AND ENDO-BETA-MANNANASE IN THE ENDOSPERMS OF CAROBAND FENUGREEK SEEDS

Jasmonic acid CTA) and its precursor linolenic acid (LA), as well as l inoleic acid, inhibited the production of alpha-galactosidase and endo -beta-mannanase in the endosperms of ungerminated fenugreek and carob seeds. The action of JA was stronger than that of LA, while that of li noleic acid was the weakest, which might imply that fenugreek and caro b may convert LA. and linoleic acid to JA. The inhibitory effect of LA was not recovered in the presence of salicylic acid, which alone inhi bited the production of both enzymes. From these results it could be s uggested that JA may regulate the expression of post-germination proce sses, like the production of alpha-galactosidase and endo-beta-mannana se in carob and fenugreek endosperms. Furthermore, these results may l ead to the hypothesis thar in carob and fenugreek endosperms LA and li noleic acid are converted to JA.