ENZYMES IN SEEDS. 



85 



TAW,K XXIX. Loss in vitality of seeds with varying degrees of moisture when kept at 



ordinary room temperature. 



[Duration of experiment, 85 days.] 



a The samples prepared, excepting the control, were in bottles of 120 cc. capacity. 



The above table shows that there was a gradual deterioration in 

 vitality as the quantity of water was increased. All stages of injury 

 were manifested, but it is not necessary to enter into a discussion of 

 the table at this time, inasmuch as similar tabulations, showing the 

 injurious effects of varying quantities of moisure on the seeds, have 

 already been given on page 38. This table is inserted here in order 

 that a comparison can be made with the decomposition of the com- 

 mercial diastase used and the loss in vitality of the seeds. 



For a determination of the diastasic activity various quantities of 1 

 per cent " Taka" diastase solutions were allowed to act on definite quan- 

 tities of a 1 per cent solution of starch paste, the whole being maintained 

 at a temperature of from 45 to 48 C. Ten cubic centimeters of the 

 starch solution were taken for each determination, and the amount of 

 the diastase solution varied from one-half to 1, 2, 3, and 5 cc. In the 

 control sample, consisting of diastase from the original bottle as it was 

 kept in the laboratory. 2 cc. of the 1 per cent solution were sufficient to 

 cause a complete hydrolysis of the 10 cc. of 1 per cent starch solution. 

 In Nos. 1547, 1548, and 1549 the samples from the control bottle, the 

 paraffined bottle, and the paraffined bottle containing 0.5 cc. of water, 

 respectively, 3 cc. of the diastase solution were necessary for a com- 

 plete hydrolysis. In Nos. 1550, 1551, and 1552 that is, the samples 

 from the bottles which contained 1, 2, and 3 cc. of water, respectively 

 the diastase was very much injured as a result of the increased quan- 

 tity of water in the bottle and 5 cc. of the diastase solution were 

 required to hydrolyze the 10 cc. of the 1 per cent starch paste. No. 

 1553 the sample from the bottle which contained the 4 cc. of water 

 showed that the diastase had been almost completely disorganized, 

 inasmuch as the greatest quantity used (5 cc. of the 1 per cent diastase 

 solution) was only sufficient to cause a slight hydrolytic action. When 



