Description
The nutritional composition of the appendages of the diaspores (elaiosomes) compared with the respective seeds has received little attention so far. We therefore analyzed seeds and elaiosomes of 15 Central European ant-dispersed (myrmecochorous) plants for their content of lipids, amino acids, soluble carbohydrates, proteins and starch. In most of the seeds and elaiosomes, lipids were the main constituent. While seeds had a significantly higher protein content (6% in seeds vs. 3% in elaiosomes) and on an average more lipids (26% in seeds vs. 20% in elaiosomes), elaiosomes contained significantly more free amino acids (7% in elaiosomes vs. 1% in seeds). Although the overall nutrient quality was similar in diaspores and elaiosomes, the specific composition of individual fatty acids, amino acids and carbohydrates differed markedly between elaiosomes and diaspores. The fatty acid pattern in seeds were taxon-specific while it was homogenous in elaiosomes. This suggests a directed adaptation of the elaiosomesż composition to the antsż nutritional needs.| Period | 2005 |
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| Event title | XVII International Botanical Congress |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Wien, AustriaShow on map |