IMMUNOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF SEED LIPOXYGENASE GENOTYPES IN SOYBEAN

Elimination of lipoxygenases from soybean reduces the undesirable bean y off-flavor associated with soy products. Breeding programs, as well as quality control procedures, that utilize lipoxygenase null-alleles to improve soybean flavor are dependent upon an accurate and efficient means to identify those lines that lack these enzymes. The use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is one approach to this problem. Mon oclonal antibodies specific to each of the three predominant soybean [ Glycine max. (L.) Merr] seed lipoxygenases are described. The antibodi es can be used to quantitate the amount of each isozyme in seed extrac ts. The antibodies are useful for the identification of specific lipox ygenase genotypes in progeny from crosses among lines bearing lipoxyge nase null-alleles. Statistical methodology is described that permits a determination of the percentage of contamination of L2L3-less seeds b y normal seeds that contain lipoxygenases in seed lots derived from co mmercial operations. Statistical approaches to sampling such as this m ay have wider application to quality assurance in other identity prese rved crops.