Biochemical Changes Associated with Accelerated Ageing of Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) Seeds

Biochemical changes like contents of lipids, sugars and activities of certain enzymes in relation to seed viability were determined under artificial ageing and storage conditions in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds. Seed viability declined with artificial ageing but higher viability was observed in seeds stored at refrigeration temperature than at room temperature. Contents of total reducing sugars, sucrose, lipids, phospholipids decreased with concomitant increase in free fatty acids content at 10 days compared to 5 days of artificial ageing and these changes were more when seeds were stored at room temperature compared to refrigeration temperature. Accordingly, catalase and peroxidase activities decreased whereas invertase and sucrose synthase activities increased with ageing.