The restart metabolism of the embryo during germination is carried out by metabolic processes that culminate in root protrusion and energy supply for the initial seedling development. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate changes in the activity of the polygalacturonase and alpha-galactosidase enzymes and the mono and oligosaccharides reserves during germination of Schizolobium parahyba seeds. Seeds were placed in petri dishes to germinate and samples were removed periodically for analyses. The galactose levels in the embryonic axis differed significantly only between the treatment control and the eighth day sample, although continuous increase occurred until the fourth day. There was an increase in the amount of galactose in the cotyledons only on the sixth day of germination; on other days the values were similar. Levels of arabinose, mannose and glucose tended to increase in the embryonic axis and the presence of xylose was not detected on the eighth day. The same sugars were not originally detected at time zero in the cotyledons, but other samples presented their highest values on the eighth day. The sucrose levels increased in the axis and cotyledons, while those of raffinose decreased in both. The stachiose concentration remained relatively constant in the axis and cotyledons until the sixth day and then decreased in the axis on the eighth day. The enzyme alpha-galactosidase was pre-formed and was reduced in its specific activity as of the second day and remaining constant until the eighth day. Activity in cotyledons varied throughout the analysis period. Polygalacturonase was also a pre-formed enzyme, with most of its activity in the axis. The activity in the cotyledons increased until the sixth day, reaching larger values than those of the axis, and then decreased to values below that observed in the axis.
physiology; metabolism; monosaccharide; oligosaccharide; enzymes
