Changes in flax (Linum usitatissmum) seed nitrogenous compounds during germination

The changes in the nitrogenous compounds of flaxseed during an 8-day germination period were studied. The dry matter content of the seeds was reduced by 35% at the end of the germination. During the germination period, a relatively small decrease was observed in total nitrogen content, but there was an increase in the content of non-protein nitrogen from 9 to 33.5% of the total amount. An increase in the total content of free amino acids was also observed. Among individual amino acids, glutamine showed a marked change during the germination period indicating that it is the favoured amide donor in the developing flax seedlings. An increase in the water-soluble protein and a decrease in the salt-soluble protein fractions was also observed. The content of polyamines, namely agmatine, spermidine and putrescine, which are important in controlling cellular metabolism and growth, was also increased during the germination period. After day 8 of germination, the contents of cyanogenic glycosides, linustatin and neolinustatin in the seeds were reduced by 40 and 70%, respectively. Trypsin inhibitor content was very low in flaxseed and only trace amounts were present after 8 days of germination.