Publications by authors named "Kylie A Neumann"
Article Synopsis
- The production and release of mucilage polysaccharides in Plantago ovata seeds differ significantly from those in the model plant Arabidopsis.
- Using microscopy, researchers observed that P. ovata seeds do not have a protective outer cell layer; instead, the mucilage forms a thin layer covering the entire seed and expands outward when wet.
- The initial hydrated mucilage layer, rich in pectin, accelerates hydration, while the bulk of the mucilage, mainly heteroxylan, provides structural integrity; the study highlights the complexity of mucilage synthesis and storage across different plant species.
Background: Myxospermy is a process by which the external surfaces of seeds of many plant species produce mucilage-a polysaccharide-rich gel with numerous fundamental research and industrial applications. Due to its functional properties the mucilage can be difficult to remove from the seed and established methods for mucilage extraction are often incomplete, time-consuming and unnecessarily wasteful of precious seed stocks.
Results: Here we tested the efficacy of several established protocols for seed mucilage extraction and then downsized and adapted the most effective elements into a rapid, small-scale extraction and analysis pipeline.