Seed Structure and Localization of Reserves inChenopodium quinoa

The three areas of food reserves in quinoa seeds are: a largecentral perisperm, a peripheral embryo and a one to two-celllayered endosperm surrounding the hypocotyl-radicle axis ofthe embryo. Cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis revealedthat starch grains occupy the cells of the perisperm, whilelipid bodies, protein bodies with globoid crystals of phytin,and proplastids with deposits of phytoferritin are the storagecomponents of the cells of the endosperm and embryo tissues.EDX analysis of the endosperm and embryo protein bodies revealedthat globoid crystals contain phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.These results are compared with studies on other perispermousseeds published to date.Copyright 1998 Annals of Botany Company Chenopodium quinoa,EDX analysis, phytoferritin, phytin, protein bodies, quinoa, seed structure, seed reserves, starch grains.