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Acid Hydrolases and Autolytic Properties of Protein Bodies and Spherosomes Isolated from Ungerminated Seeds of Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench

^a National Chemical Research Laboratory, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa

Protein bodies and spherosomes isolated from mature seeds of Sorghum bicolor (Linn.) Moench have measurable activity of acid protease, -glucosidase, -glucosidase, -galactosidase, phytase, acid pyrophosphatase, p-nitrophenyl phosphatase, and RNase. Protein bodies have largely insoluble activities, and produce soluble protein and soluble amino nitrogen during autolysis. They have the dual function of protein storage and protein catabolism. Spherosomes have considerable amounts of soluble enzymes and autolytically produce soluble amino nitrogen and inorganic phosphate but release little soluble protein. Spherosomes are similar to animal lysosomes but have an additional storage function for protein, phosphorus, and metals. Mature sorghum seed contains the necessary enzymes and substrates to generate two basic metabolites, amino acids and inorganic phosphate.