Ultrastructure of Quinoa Fruit (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)

Authors

E. Varriano-Marston
Alicia DeFrancisco

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

The structure of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) fruit before and after germination was studied using electron microscopy. Protective coverings include a perianth consisting of loosely adhering cell s which are readily removed by washing, a pericarp and two seed coat layers. Starch granules fill the perispenn cells and are arranged in 18 to 20 oblong aggregates. Limited hydrolysis of the starch occurs after 24 hrs of germination, with amylolytic erosion of large granules occurring at the hilum and periphery of the granul es. Ungerminated embryo cells contain protein bodies with phosphorus-containing globoid inclusions. Essentially complete hydrolysis of the embryo protein bodies occurs within 24 hrs of germination leaving large central vacuoles within the cells.

Recommended Citation

Varriano-Marston, E. and DeFrancisco, Alicia (1984) "Ultrastructure of Quinoa Fruit (Chenopodium quinoa Willd)," Food Structure: Vol. 3: No. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/foodmicrostructure/vol3/iss2/9