The composition of nonstructural carbohydrates was investigated in the underground organs of the herbs Dioscorea sp. 1 and Dioscorea sp. 2 (Dioscoreaceae); Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae); Hippeastrum reticulatum (L'Hérit.) Herb. (Amaryllidaceae); Scadoxus multiflorus (Martyn) Raf. (Amaryllidaceae), Prescottia nivalis Barb. Rodr. (Orchidaceae) and Sinningia aghensis Chautems (Gesneriaceae). We was also analyzed the levels of cell-wall storage polysaccharides (CWSP) and mineral nutrients in seeds of Cassia fistula L., Cassia grandis L.f., Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC., Erythrina variegata L., Hymenaea courbaril L. and Ormosia arborea (Vell.) Harms from the Leguminosae family. H. reticulatum showed the highest fructose levels (25% dry mass) suggesting the presence of fructans in the underground organs. The highest levels of total soluble carbohydrates, especially sucrose (63%), were observed in rhizomes of P. nivalis indicating that this carbohydrate may act as an osmoregulator in this rock-dwelling resurrection plant. In relation to CWSP, high values were found in H. courbaril (70%), C. grandis (53%) and C. rosea (40%) seeds. Intermediate values were found in C. fistula (24%) and E. variegata (11%). O. arborea seeds showed the lowest amount of WCP (<3% dry mass). Previous work has shown that the storage polysaccharides of H. courbaril are of the xyloglucan type while in C. grandis, C. fistula and C. rosea they are of the galactomanan type. Identification of the polysaccharide in E. variegata and O. arborea depends on future analyses by HPLC. In relation to mineral nutrients, C. rosea and E. variegata seeds stood out due to higher concentrations of N (60 g.kg-1) among the macronutrients and higher concentrations of Fe (160170 mg.g-1) and Zn (56-87 mg.g-1) among the micronutrients. As shown here, bioprospecting studies reveal promising results showing the great technological potential of seeds and underground storage organs in the Espírito Santo flora.
non-structural carbohydrates; bulbs; polysaccharides; seeds; tubers
