Application of a semi-automatic micro-DBC analyzer system for screening basic amino acids in single grains

Authors

• Marketta Saastamoinen Finnpipette Ky|Labsystems Oy, Pulttitie 9, 00810 Helsinki 81
• P. M. A. Tigerstedt Department of Plant Breeding, University of Helsinki, 00710 Helsinki 71, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71998

Abstract

The micro-DBC method (dye binding capacity) developed for single seeds is based on the FP-9 Analyzer System, which was originally developed for medical research. With a few extra devices it was adapted for seed protein micro-DBC determination. With the new analyzing system it is possible to calculate the amount of acid orange 12 dye bound by a single grain, determined per unit weight of the grain. In the FP-9 Analyzer System, nine samples are handled simultaneously at all working stages. The system includes 9-tipped pipettes, a 9-tipped automatic diluter, scales, a grinder for 9 grains, a mixer for 8 x 9 samples and a centrifuge for 4 x 9 samples, and a photometer for 9 samples as well as a programmable desk calculator connected to it. The largest volume to be pipetted is 1 ml. Twentyone barley lines, donated by Dr. L. Munck, Carlsberg Laboratory, Denmark, were studied with the FP-9 Analyzer System. From each barley line, 4—12 grains were studied. The correlation coefficient (r) between their means and the results obtained by the macro-DBC system was 0.9600***. The coefficient of variation (C.V. %) within the barley lines was 4.74 —23.28 %. With homogeneous standard flour the coefficient of variation was 1.81 —3.79 % for eight cuvette blocks with 9 samples each. The micro-DBC system has been specially developed for plant breeding purposes. Screening of material can be carried out on single or half grains in segregating early generations (F2—F5). Thus the cultivation of large line materials can partly be avoided.