AMYLOPLASTS AND STARCH CHARACTERIZATION IN HIGH LYSINE BARLEY MUTANT

Starch granules of Notch-2 high lysine barley mutant are small, irregu lar in shape and show a virtual loss of birefringence and a higher gel atinization temperature, compared to parent NP-113. Starch polymer of Notch-2 is qualitatively different from parent, as evidenced by X-ray diffractograms. There is a higher incidence of V-pattern at early deve lopment as also at maturity in mutant as compared to parent. Intensiti es corresponding to B-pattern are present at early development in both parent and mutant. B-pattern persists at maturity in mutant, while it is replaced by A-pattern in parent. Amyloplasts of mutant are modifie d in contrast to normal, oblong amyloplasts of parent. Modified amylop lasts show loss of grana, increased granulation and lipid droplets. Ex tensive lipid complexing with starch polymers in mutant is indicated a nd possible commercial and nutritional potentials speculated.