DISTINGUISHING SIDA-ACUTA, SIDA-RHOMBIFOLIA, SIDA-SPINOSA AND SIDA-CORDIFOLIA SEEDS BY GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS

Single seeds of Sida acuta, S. rhombifolia, S. spinosa and S. cordifolia were distinguished from each other by analysing either reduced or non-reduced crude protein from the seed on 10.0% T polyacrylamide gels using sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Species were distinguished by the presence or absence of protein bands in the 40 to 60 kD zone which stained intensely with Coomassie Brilliant Blue-R250. The banding of proteins in the 20 to 40 kD zone appeared useful in distinguishing between lines within S. rhombifolia. The protein patterns obtained by SDS-PAGE appeared remarkably stable, with loss of seed viability showing no effect on banding in the short-term. However, in the longer-term, bands became less well defined and 'streaky' with loss of some bands.