Bowman-Birk Type Proteinase Inhibitor Profiles of Horse Gram (Dolichos biflorus) during Germination and Seed Development

Germination induces changes in the Bowman-Birk type proteinase inhibitors (BBIs) of horse gram
(Dolichos biflorus) at both qualitative and quantitative levels. The original isoinhibitors present in
the dry seed almost disappear by the fifth day of germination with the concomitant appearance of
two new inhibitor species. The isoinhibitors present in the dry seed are electrophoretically distinct
from the isoinhibitors that appear during the early stages of seed development. The two inhibitor
species occurring in the early stages of seed development (up to 10 days after flowering) are also
present in the flower, husk, and leaf. The two new inhibitor species that appear during the process
of germination appear to be electrophoretically similar to the inhibitor species found in the flower,
leaf, and early stages of seed development.