Impact of Germination on Biochemical and Antioxidant Enzymes of Ceiba pentandra (Kapok) Seeds

Changes in biochemical components and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and ascorbate oxidase (AO) in germinating and non-germinating seeds of Ceiba pentandra were evaluated in the present study. Results show that the levels of proteins and total soluble sugars are high and reducing sugars and free amino acids are low in non-germinating seeds whereas the contrary was observed in 4 days old germinating seeds. Enzymatic antioxidants like SOD, CAT, POD, GPx and AO showed enhanced activities during seed germination. Our findings indicate that three days after germination of Ceiba pentandra seeds, their palatability significantly improve. The nutritive utilization of protein and carbohydrates along with efficient participation of antioxidant mechanisms, including the synergistic activities of the different types of SOD, CAT, POD, GPx and AO, might play an important role during seed germination. The conclusion of this inquiry is that the germinating seeds can serve as natural antioxidant agents, setting ahead the possibility of employing them for therapeutic purposes.