An Ontogenetic Study of Canavanine Formation in the Fruit of Jack Bean, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.

An ontogenetic study of canavanine formation in the fruit of jack bean, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. was conducted. Evidence was presented to show that the ovary wall is the reservoir for seed canavanine. The testa possesses sufficient canavanine to account for the continued elevation in seed canavanine after the pod senesces. The seed canavanine concentration is not constant inasmuch as the canavanine content per milligram dry weight or soluble protein increases abruptly with seed growth and levels off only with the onset of fruit ripening.