CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LIPOLYTIC SYSTEM OF GERMINATED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Current interest in bioengineering has been extended recently to the e xploration of lipase-catalyzed reactions for the commercial processing of oils and fats. Sunflower seedlings, but not dormant seeds, contain a very active lipolytic system associated with oil bodies located in cotyledon cells, showing two peaks of maximum activity (pH 3.2 and 8.6 ) and being notably stimulated by Triton X-100 and higher temperatures (75-85 degrees C). GLC of fatty acids evidenced that the lipolytic sy stem of sunflower shows higher affinity towards saturated fatty acids, and HPLC analysis of the residual triacylglycerols (TAG) revealed les ser affinity for TAG with higher oleic acid content. Some properties o f the lipolytic system of sunflower could be potentially useful in bio engineering processes.