Study of free radical and peroxide scavenging enzymes and content in different vigour lots of soybean (Glycine max)

Free radical and lipid peroxidation are widely considered to be major contributor to seed deterioration in soybean. Three lots of soybean high, medium and low vigour were stored under ambient storage conditions. Free radical scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase activities and ascorbic acid contents were measured for a year with three months interval. There was gradual increase in the activities of glutathione reductase and catalase reaching a peak earliest in the low vigour seed lots than in medium and high vigour lots during storage, followed by a steady decline. Similar trend was noticed incase of ascorbic acid content. This is the first such report (of rise in the enzyme activity during seed aging) which needs detailed examination for validation.