STEROL MODIFICATION DURING GERMINATION OF ZEA-MAYS SEEDS

The evolution of sterol fraction during maize germination was studied. The amounts of total sterols, among which sitosterol was by far the m ost abundant, from embryo and endosperm were quite similar. After a fi rst period during which they decrease in sterols in the endosperm was accompanied by an increase in the embryo, they decreased continuously in both parts. On the contrary, in the shoots, which are characterized by an intense growth rate, they increased. In the roots their behavio ur was more complex and sitosterol was no longer the most important st erol.