Reactive oxygen species release, vitamin E, fatty acid and phytosterol contents of artificially aged radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds during germination

Seeds of Raphanus sativus L. subjected to accelerated ageing were investigated for reactive oxygen species (ROS) release and for content of vitamin E (tocopherol, TOC, and tocotrienol, TOC-3), fatty acids and phytosterols in seed coats, cotyledons and embryonic axes during germination. In unaged seeds, ROS release occurred mainly in seed coats of non-imbibed seeds and in seedlings (48 h of imbibition). TOC and TOC-3 were mainly represented by the γ-isoform, abundant in embryonic axes. Fatty acids were mainly found in cotyledons. In seed coat and embryonic axis, phytosterols consisted mainly of sitosterols. The effects of ageing were mainly visible in embryonic axes at 48 h of imbibition. Deterioration was associated with a decrease in fresh weight increase percentage, germination percentage, α-TOC and total fatty acid content. An increase in ROS release from seed coats and in γ-TOC, δ-TOC, γ-TOC-3 content in embryonic axis was also observed. The use of γ-TOC and total fatty acids in embryonic axis as parameters of seed quality evaluation during storage was suggested.