Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

We studied protein variation among the Egyptian species of wild Vicia that may be of taxonomical importance. Seeds of five wild Vicia species (Vicia sativa subsp. amphicarpa, V. articulata, V. ervilia, V. narbonensis and V. villosa) were collected from their natural habitats in Egypt. Protein, albumin and globulin electrophoresis was carried out on the seeds. Moreover, protein content and its amino acids, albumin and globulin were determined. Total bands and their distribution and similarity percentage differed according to the studied Vicia species and protein type. Generally, the highest values of total bands for total protein, albumin and globulin were observed in V. sativa subsp. amphicarpa. Amount of albumin, globulin, total protein, albumin/total protein, globulin/ total protein and amino acids varied according to the studied Vicia species. In general, the highest values of determined amino acids, albumin/total protein and globulin/ total protein ratio were recorded in V. articulata. Furthermore, numerous taxonomical markers were observed for each studied Vicia species on basis of total protein, albumin and globulin electrophoresis. These identity electrophoregram of the studied species can be used as a tool for identifying the genetic diversity in Vicia species. These results support the validity of seed protein as a powerful tool for Vicia species identification and clarifying taxonomic relationships
Keywords: Vicia, electrophoresis, seed proteins, dendogram, amino acids, legume, gentic diversity, taxonomy