LIPIDS, FATTY-ACIDS AND LIPOXYGENASE ACTIVITY IN DEVELOPING POPPY SEEDLING, PAPAVER-SOMNIFERUM L

The amount of total lipids and the distribution of free fatty acids (F A) and lipoxygenase activity (LOX) were determined during poppy seedli ng development. The amount of total lipids changed only marginally in whole poppy seedling. In lipid fractions linoleic acid was present in highest proportion. The content of saturated FA was significantly lowe r as that of unsaturated FA. Developmental profiles of individual FA a nd their distribution in individual organs of poppy seedling suggest t hat a certain part of FA undergoes redistribution between endosperm an d cotyledons and other organs of developing poppy seedling. LOX activi ty was the highest in poppy seedling on day 4 post-imbibition and this activity was mainly located in cotyledons. The best substrate for LOX from poppy seedling was found to be linoleic acid. From antioxidants tested, the inhibition by rutin was the highest.