The mannan from Schizolobium parahybae endosperm is not a reserve polysaccharide

In higher plants, mannans are found as dominant reserve material in the endosperm of Arecaceae seeds and also in some species from Apiaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae. A linear β(1 → 4)-d-mannan was now isolated from the endosperm of Schizolobium parahybae, family Caesalpiniaceae, a native of Southern Brazil. Its seeds were germinated and the consumption of polysaccharides from the endosperm, namely galactomannans and β(1 → 4)-d-mannan, was analysed at differents stages of germination. At the 6th day after germination no residual 3:1 Man:Gal galactomannan was found, indicating that complete degradation of galactomannan had been reached. However, after 12 days of germination, the mannan was recovered from the remaining endosperm. Its presence in the endosperm after germination demonstrated that it is not a reserve material as described for seeds of other species.