Evaluation of Proteins and Hydrolytic Enzymes from the Seeds of Genus Caesalpinia

ABSTRACT: The study investigates the protein content in total and activity of esterase in soaked dehulled seeds of three species of Caesalpinia. Protein content varied between 11% and 15%, with Caesalpinia mimosoides the highest at 15.04%. All species demonstrated esterolytic activity, with C. mimosoides showing the highest ester hydrolyzing activity and specific activity. Conversely, C. decapetala displayed the lowest esterase activity and specific activity. These findings highlight species-specific variations in protein content and enzymatic activity within the Caesalpinia genus. Over the course of germination, protein content decreased from 17% at 72 hours to 9% at 120 hours. Esterase activity was detected in both soaked seeds and saplings at all phases of germination. The highest esterase activity was observed on the 3rd day of germination. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was conducted to study the banding patterns of esterases in the presence of an artificial substrate. The 1-Naphthyl acetate substrate revealed four esterolytic bands in C. mimosoides . These findings provide insights into the dynamics of protein degradation and esterolytic enzyme activity during seed germination.