Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation

Blessing Ngele; Anobeja Effa; Ani Essien Nkang

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202578

Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation

Abstract

Background: Desiccation is a critical factor influencing seed viability and storage potential. Among the physiological changes accompanying seed drying are alterations in carbohydrate reserves and the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes.

Aims: This study investigated changes in reducing sugar and starch content, as well as the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, and total amylases, in the seeds of two tropical timber species, Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr., during progressive desiccation.

Methods: Mature seeds were harvested directly from parent trees and desiccated under ambient conditions for 0, 3, 7, 10, 13, 15, 22, and 35 days. Germination capacity, carbohydrate levels, and amylolytic activities were assessed at each desiccation interval.

Results: Germination in A. africana increased gradually with desiccation, whereas seeds of G. albida exhibited high initial germination that declined significantly (p ≤ 0.05) following moisture loss. Reducing sugar levels were consistently higher in G. albida than in A. africana, while starch content increased in A. africana but declined in G. albida during later stages of desiccation. Activities of α-amylase, β-amylase and total amylases increased during early desiccation (0–7 days) in both species, followed by a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decline, with A. africana exhibiting higher overall amylolytic activity. These results indicate contrasting carbohydrate metabolic responses to desiccation, consistent with orthodoxlike behavior in A. africana and recalcitrant behavior in G. albida.

Conclusion: The findings provide physiological insight relevant to seed storage and reforestation strategies for tropical forest species.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No external funding acquired.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with national and international ethical guidelines for research involving plants. The plant materials (Afzelia africana Sm. and Chrysophyllum albidum Linn) were collected from non-protected areas with due consideration for environmental sustainability and without causing harm to endangered or protected species. No human participants or animals were involved in the research; therefore, formal ethical approval was not required. All experimental procedures complied with relevant institutional, national, and international laws and conventions.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Plant Physiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Blessing Ngele ^*
0000-0001-6229-6757
Nigeria

Anobeja Effa This is me
0009-0000-7648-0432
Nigeria

Ani Essien Nkang This is me
0000-0002-5854-3927
Nigeria

Publication Date

July 9, 2026

Submission Date

August 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202578

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA24WN82NF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ngele, B., Effa, A., & Nkang, A. E. (2026). Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, 27(1), 96-103. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202578

AMA

1.Ngele B, Effa A, Nkang AE. Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27(1):96-103. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202578

Chicago

Ngele, Blessing, Anobeja Effa, and Ani Essien Nkang. 2026. “Amylase Activity and Carbohydrate Accumulation in Seeds of Afzelia Africana Sm. and Gambeya Albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. During Desiccation”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 (1): 96-103. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202578.

EndNote

Ngele B, Effa A, Nkang AE (July 1, 2026) Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 1 96–103.

IEEE

[1]B. Ngele, A. Effa, and A. E. Nkang, “Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 96–103, July 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.202578.

ISNAD

Ngele, Blessing - Effa, Anobeja - Nkang, Ani Essien. “Amylase Activity and Carbohydrate Accumulation in Seeds of Afzelia Africana Sm. and Gambeya Albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. During Desiccation”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27/1 (July 1, 2026): 96-103. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202578.

JAMA

1.Ngele B, Effa A, Nkang AE. Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27:96–103.

MLA

Ngele, Blessing, et al. “Amylase Activity and Carbohydrate Accumulation in Seeds of Afzelia Africana Sm. and Gambeya Albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. During Desiccation”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol. 27, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 96-103, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202578.

Vancouver

1.Blessing Ngele, Anobeja Effa, Ani Essien Nkang. Amylase activity and carbohydrate accumulation in seeds of Afzelia africana Sm. and Gambeya albida (G. Don) Aubrév. & Pellegr. during desiccation. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jul. 1;27(1):96-103. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202578