Effect of Warm-Dry Storage and Supplemental Application of Gibberellins on the Lipid Profile of Chincuya Seeds (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal)

Abstract

Despite ample knowledge of the effect of warm-dry storage on breaking dormancy in chincuya (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal) seeds, this paper investigates an important new aspect of this process—the applicability of seed treatment with gibberellic acid and its influence on seed viability and fatty acid profile. Chincuya is an underutilized, tropical wild species native to Mexico, with potential as a biopesticide. The impact of warm-dry storage and gibberellic acid treatment on seed viability and germination was determined to improve that knowledge further. Also, the content and kinetics of fatty acids in chincuya seeds were profiled during warm-dry storage. Seed treatments included storage time (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), seed imbibition for 72 h in gibberellic acid at 350 mg L⁻¹, and distilled water imbibition for 72 h for the control treatment. Seed viability was determined using the TTZ classic test. Imbibed seeds were germinated on paper towels and incubated at 30 °C during the day and 25 °C at night in a 12:12 h dark/light photoperiod. The lipid profile was obtained by gas chromatography. During the storage treatment, seeds stayed in darkness at 25 ± 3 °C. Results showed that high viability remained up to month 9 in storage when it significantly decreased. Freshly harvested seeds germinated at a statistically significantly lower rate (26.1%) than six-month-old seeds (65.6%). The profile of fatty acids breaks down as palmitic acid (33.41%), stearic acid (7.72%), and arachidic acid (1.30%), for a total of 42.44% of saturated fatty acids. The detected unsaturated fatty acids (52.15%) were palmitoleic acid (1.52%), oleic acid (43.37%), and linoleic acid (7.24%). No significant changes were detected in fatty acid content; however, the highest fatty acid content (92.84%) occurred with the highest germination rate. Regression analysis showed significant content changes: palmitoleic and palmitic acids increased while oleic acid decreased during dry storage. Arachidic acid showed a slight downward trend. Also, fatty acid content significantly differed between intact seeds (unstored and unincubated) and latent seeds (unstored, incubated, and ungerminated). The total fatty acids content for latent seeds was significantly lower. These results show that Annona purpurea seeds present morphophysiological dormancy. Also, we document the highest germination rate reported (65.6%) and report the presence of arachidic and palmitoleic acids in chincuya seeds.

1. Introduction

Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal. Chincuya is a native species of Mexico. According to Cabrera et al. [1], it is a tree that can grow up to 10 m tall and has a crown formed by scattered branches. The flowers are extra-axillary, solitary, and subsessile, with three triangular-ovate, acuminate sepals. The three external petals are thick and rigid, concave and usually acuminate, ferruginous-sericeous on the outside, and tinted with purple inside. The three smaller inner petals are imbricate, slender, and elliptic-oblong-shaped with a rounded apex.

Additionally, there are numerous stamens. The leaves are alternate, deciduous, and simple, measuring 12 to 30 cm in length and 6 to 14 cm in width. They are obovate to elliptic in shape and have short petioles. The fruit is oval to spherical and covered with numerous pyramidal protuberances. It has a felt-like tomentum. According to Vidal-Lezama et al. [2], the fruits are syncarpous and have numerous uniseminated carpels. They are characterized by being very firm at harvest. The fruit measures an average of 31.73 cm in length and 47.17 cm in width, weighs 1.23 kg, and contains an average of 138.4 seeds. Each seed weighs 1.51 g and measures 2.56 cm in length, 1.27 cm in width, and 0.78 cm in thickness. The fruit appears dull brown when harvested and has a woody appearance. It is hard and tough to open. The edible part of the fruit is composed of fibrous sarcotestas surrounding the seeds. This pulp is aromatic and has an intense orange color. The fruit skin is thick, rough, hard, and heavy, comprising 32.25% of the total weight. After being cut, the fruit ripens in 3 to 7 days in the shade at an average temperature of 25 °C, causing the green color to fade and turn reddish-brown. The richness in secondary metabolites of the Annonaceae family has motivated numerous conclusive studies on the cytotoxic power of acetogenins, compounds contained in chincuya seeds [2].

Germination. Germination occurs when the seed imbibes and results in DNA transcription, translation, nucleic acid repair, cell elongation, and division. These processes induce protein and enzyme synthesis, the activation of growth regulators, and the mobilization of reserves, culminating in the protrusion of the radicle. Recent findings indicate that reactive oxygen species and microRNAs also regulate seed dormancy and germination [3]. It is suggested that chincuya might utilize an altered pathway for seed development. The initial phase of seed development is marked by significant mitotic activity alongside the accumulation of cytokinins, gibberellins, spermines, spermidines, and polyamines. During the intermediate stages, cell expansion and auxin production take priority, accompanied by an increase in free and bound gibberellins; meanwhile, cytokinin levels drop, and abscisic acid remains undetectable. In the final phases, the seed undergoes preparation for dehydration. It enters a dormant state characterized by increased abscisic acid, reduced fresh weight, and peak accumulation of reserves, including Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins [4]. Thus, when seed maturation, both from morphological and physiological perspectives, concludes and the accumulation of dry matter ceases, the seed has reached maturity [5,6].

Dormancy. A viable seed is dormant when it cannot germinate despite being in favorable conditions. This type of morphological latency is attributed to embryonic immaturity, a term used repeatedly to clarify why germination does not occur.

Therefore, studies related to embryo growth must be carried out to demonstrate it [7] Vidal-Lezama et al. [8] showed that chincuya seeds have morphological dormancy. The warm-dry storage treatment overcame this latency by causing morphological changes in the embryo and its growth.

Physiological dormancy. Primary dormancy or quiescence is obtained during seed ripeness and broken by environmental and endogenous factors [9]. Physiologically, dormant seeds are water-permeable and do not germinate; the embryo is impaired to grow. However, as dormancy interruption occurs, the growth potential increases to the point that germination is possible [7].

Morphophysiological dormancy. In this case, a combination of morphological and physiological dormancy causes delayed germination for more than 30 days [10]. Radicle protrusion in A. crassiflora seeds occurs 150 days after planting [11]. In Virola surinamensis (Rol.) Warb., seeds germinate between 94 and 124 days after planting [12]. It was determined that A. crassiflora Mart. shows morphophysiological dormancy, which disappears at low temperatures or when the temperature fluctuates before the rainy season [11]. The same authors point out that subsequent embryonic growth and endosperm digestion are probably controlled by gibberellins synthesized while overcoming physiological dormancy.

In the case of A. macroprophyllata Donn. Smith, different authors agree that germination capacity increases when seeds are stored between 5 and 7 months [13,14,15]. Morphophysiological dormancy release happens when, in the imbibed seed, the embryo grows and differentiates. This type of dormancy is common in regions with humid seasonal climates worldwide [16].

Effect of warm-dry storage. After ripe seed dispersal, seed dormancy is released after an extended storage period under dry conditions. This process is called after-ripening. Several studies have shown that after-ripening is effective on seeds with moisture content between 5 and 18% [17]. After-ripening treatments decrease dormancy and increase germination potential. Germination potential changes through a two-pronged pathway: increasing sensitivity to factors that promote germination, such as light and gibberellins, and decreasing sensitivity to factors that inhibit germination [17]. The available reports indicate that few gene expression changes occur after ripening. Seed dormancy release results from chemical transformations unrelated to normal cellular metabolic processes and affects the metabolic products present in the freshly produced seeds [9]. These authors report that non-enzymatic reactions play a role in seed dormancy release after ripening, like the production of reactive oxygen species. However, a significant decrease in the concentration of abscisic and salicylic acids and an increase in gibberellins, jasmonic acid, and isopentenyladenine was observed when imbibing Arabidopsis seeds treated under dry storage [18].

Effect of gibberellins. Gibberellins stimulate cell elongation and division. The biosynthesis of these substances occurs throughout the plant, including in germinating embryos and developing seeds. They can act in cells that do not produce them, causing their migration from the site of production to the site of action. The endogenous gibberellins control their biosynthesis by altering gene transcription [19]. Gibberellins are produced in the imbibed seed embryos, which initiate the production of hydrolytic enzymes. These enzymes soften the seed coat, mobilize nutrient reserves in the seed, promote embryo growth and hypocotyl elongation, trigger meristem activity, and support the growth of new shoots and roots [20]. Breaking seed dormancy involves mechanisms that degrade abscisic acid and stimulate gibberellin biosynthesis. Gibberellins stimulate cell elongation and division [17]. AG1, AG20, and AG53 gibberellins were identified in A. purpurea in seeds stored for 3 to 4 months [21]. In the same way, in A. macroprophyllata and A. purpurea, abscisic acid and gibberellins were found in fresh seeds imbibed in water and unsoaked seeds [22]. Vidal et al. [13] and Ferreira et al. [22] have determined the promoting effect of gibberellic acid on germination in different species of Annonaceae at concentrations close to 350 ppm.

Lipids as a reserve substance. The high lipid content in seeds of some species could indicate a compensatory selection (greater energy/volume) towards the lightest or smallest seeds for better dispersal [23]. It has been mentioned that storage lipids are assembled into tiny spheres of 0.5–2.5 μm called oil or lipid bodies [24,25], which contain a triacylglycerol nucleus covered by a phospholipid layer with proteins (oleosin, caleosin, and steroleosin). These proteins are responsible for the stability of lipid bodies and prevent triacylglycerol storage from degrading until the seed germinates [26]. In oilseeds, lipases initiate the degradation of triacylglycerols in lipid bodies; these hydrolytic enzymes produce glycerol and free fatty acids in glyoxysomes. Glycerol enters the glycolytic pathway, which can also become pyruvate and then oxidize in the mitochondria through the Krebs Cycle. Then, oxidation reactions could degrade fatty acids to produce compounds containing fewer carbon atoms.

The main oxidative process is β-oxidation. However, there are differences in the degradation routes of the fatty acid based on its degree of saturation. Yet, all must be converted to forms that can be degraded to form acetyl-CoA. Then, this acetyl-CoA is captured by the glyoxylate cycle and enters the gluconeogenic pathway in the cytoplasm to produce sugars [27,28]. Seeds with oil reserves, such as sunflower and canola seeds, limit germination and establishment of seedlings when the isocitrate lyase activity is inhibited, an essential enzyme during the glyoxylate cycle that plays a vital role in lipid metabolism. In the case of cereals, it is known that abscisic and gibberellic acids control lipid mobilization through the inhibition or induction of the isocitrate lyase activity [3]. Research has shown that for six species of grasses, the starch, protein, and fat reserves in their seeds did not affect the percentage or speed of germination. However, levels of soluble sugars and proteins did affect these factors. Furthermore, there were no changes in lipid reserves throughout the germination process.

The different composition of fatty acids means different susceptibility to peroxidation. In most plant species with oil-rich seeds, there is a risk of self-oxidation, where the degree of unsaturation significantly influences the degree of degradation [29]. The hypothesis proposed is that due to the morphological characteristics of the embryo and phylogenetics of the species, chincuya seeds present morphophysiological latency, which will be demonstrated by the increase in germination capacity and modifications in the content of existing fatty acids caused by dry storage conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of warm-dry storage and application of gibberellins on germination behavior and the results of warm-dry storage on lipid content in chincuya seeds.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Plant Materials

In Las Salinas, Chicomuselo, Chiapas (15.74539 N, 92.28321 E), the ripe fruits were collected from different trees of tolerated vegetation in September and October. Seeds were extracted from these fruits. Initial moisture content was measured at extraction time in 4 repetitions of 10 seeds each. The fresh and dry weights (oven-dried at 110 °C for 10 days) from extracted seeds were obtained by analytical balance and recorded. The dry weight was divided by the fresh weight and multiplied by 100 to obtain the moisture percentage in the seeds [30]. The initial moisture content was 39%, but the seeds were kept in the laboratory, partially covered with black plastic, for 39 days until the moisture content reached 25%. At that point, the dried seeds were put into a black plastic bag and placed in an incubator at a constant temperature (25 ± 3 °C), in darkness, and without added fungicides. This point marks the start of the warm-dry storage treatments.

2.2. Viability Test

The stain test was conducted with 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride to determine seed viability. Seeds with fully stained embryos and specifically marked unstained parts were considered viable according to the standards used [30]. Annonaceae seeds have no staining reference standard, and due to the response diversity in staining, the following proposal was made (Figure 1). Seeds were observed with a magnifier and an integrated light. To interpret the test, only the stained portion of the embryo was considered, and endosperm staining was ignored as it stains intensely, making the test reading difficult (Figure 1). Only categories A, B, and C were considered viable seeds. Data were converted to percentages. Tetrazolium Merck^® (Darmstadt, Germany) was prepared at 0.1%, and 4 repetitions of 20 seeds were used. Seeds were conditioned by imbibing the whole seeds in distilled water for 24 h at room temperature. The staining preparation consisted of removing the seed coat with tweezers. In the cleaned seed, the first transversal cut was made to shorten the length of the seed by half. The second cut was longitudinal, starting the cut in the hilum area without separating the halves, trying to cut deeply up to half of the seed, allowing the application of the solution and guaranteeing that if the embryo is alive, it will be stained. They were placed in Petri dishes with the tetrazolium solution and were kept in darkness at 30 °C for 24 h. Subsequently, the solution was decanted, and the seeds were rinsed with distilled water. Throughout the observation, they were kept immersed in distilled water.

2.3. Treatments

Treatments that correspond to the warm-dry storage periods were defined as follows: when the seed was freshly extracted from the fruit, partially covered with black plastic, for 39 days, up to 25% moisture content, and then they were put into a black plastic bag and placed in an incubator at a constant temperature of 25 ± 3 °C, in darkness and without adding fungicides, thus initiating warm-dry storage treatments by 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of warm-dry storage. The control treatment (time 0) was not stored in warm, dry conditions.

Seeds were treated with reagent-grade gibberellic acid (Merck^® (Darmstadt, Germany)) at 350 mg L⁻¹ and distilled water (control). Both treatments were applied by immersion for 72 h at 25 °C with aeration for 10 min every 12 h. Treatment immersion was applied to 4 repetitions of 20 seeds each. Before planting, seeds were soaked in 10% (v/v) sodium hypochlorite solution (Cloralex^® Monterrey, México) for 3 min, followed by soaking in 10% ethyl alcohol for 2 min, and then rinsed in distilled water. Seed incubation followed, with some modifications, the protocol by [27]. Absorbent paper towels were saturated with distilled water, and seeds were placed on them. The paper was rolled and placed into a partially closed plastic bag; seeds were continuously watered manually as needed. The plastic bags were put in a growth chamber (Shel Lab LI15 ^® Oregon, USA) with alternating temperatures of 30 °C during the day and 25 °C at night and 12:12 light/dark photoperiod. Throughout the test period, which lasted 40 days, the absorbent paper towels were changed three times, and washes in fungal preventive solutions were repeated during each change. Successful germination was considered when the radicle was visible (approx. 1 mm). Dormant seeds kept their initial appearance as when they were set to germinate, with no changes in odor, color, size, or texture, that is, they maintained the same appearance from the beginning to the end of the test, while rotten seeds showed signs of rot, such as loss of firmness and unpleasant odor. The studied variables were germination percentage and dormant and dead seeds percentage. To analyze lipids, three samples from each treatment were evaluated. They were deep-frozen at −20 °C, lyophilized for 14 days, and finally milled. They were kept in amber bottles at a cool temperature and in the shade until the analysis by gas chromatography.

2.4. Extraction of Lipids

Lipid extraction was carried out according to the procedure by Reyes-Trejo et al. [31]. A. purpurea seed kernels (0.5 g) were placed in a 50 mL Erlenmeyer flask, and 20 mL of hexane was added. The samples were kept in maceration for three days. The procedure was repeated three times (20 mL × 3); subsequently, after the extraction was complete, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator (BüchiR111, Waterbath B-461, Switzerland) at 45 °C until a light-yellow oily residue from both kernels was produced, and their weights were recorded. For the analysis of fatty acid (FA) content in the seeds, FA methyl esters were prepared through a transesterification reaction in a basic medium. A mixture of KOH (1.0 g) was prepared in methanol (60 mL), and then 1.0 mL of this dilution was added to approximately 0.1 g of each sample of the obtained oil by maceration. The mixture was heated at 65 °C for 2 h with continuous stirring. This was followed by a conventional procedure consisting of separating phases, washing the resulting methyl esters with 0.1% aqueous citric acid to remove the basic catalyst, washing with water, and finally drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate. The excess methanol was eliminated under vacuum distillation to obtain yellow oil samples, and its weights were recorded to obtain the yield of this new fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The calculation method to establish fatty acids composition was followed as published previously by Marroquin-Andrade et al. [32]. Area percentage was certified by the standard ISO 9001:2000 RSGC 238 with the following conditions: column AT- FAME 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm film thickness; injector temperature 250 °C Temperature FID 250 °C; oven 180 °C (5 min) 10 °C/min to 230 °C (3 min); hydrogen flow 1.8 mL/min; H2 Split 100; temperature detector 275 °C and injector 250 °C.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis employed an analysis of variance of a completely randomized design and Tukey’s multiple comparison test, with a significance level of 5%. Data on percentages were transformed before the analysis with the following equation: ${sen}^{-1}(real value in percent÷100)$. The values reported in the tables are the actual values. The SAS statistical program was used [33]. Simple linear regressions were also developed between storage treatments and concentrations of fatty acids.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Viability

The highest viability values corresponded at 6 and 9 months of storage, and these results were significantly different. A sudden drop in viability occurred on the twelfth month of storage (Figure 2). Vidal-Lezama et al. noted that embryos grew during warm-dry storage until the sixth month [8], coinciding with the viability data observed here. Similarly, González-Esquinca et al. found that A. macroprophyllata seed viability did not change throughout the 8-month storage evaluation [11]. The difference in germination percentages is significant between freshly extracted seeds and those stored for three months, as shown in

Table 1. Effect of the duration of warm-dry storage on the germination of Annona purpurea (chincuya) seeds.

Storage Duration (Months)	Germinated Seeds (%)	Dormant Seeds (%)	Dead Seeds (%)
0	26.12 B	59.13 A	14.75 C
3	52.16 A	25.50 B	22.33 BC
6	65.62 A	18.13 B	16.25 C
9	13.75 BC	43.13 AB	43.12 B
12	2.00 C	19.50 B	78.50 A
LSD	14.48	28.91	21.52

Means with the same letter in columns are not significantly different, at p ≤ 0.05 according to the Tukey test. LSD = least significant difference.

. After three months of storage, the germination percentage nearly doubles. The positive relationship between viability and germination remains for up to six months in dry storage. It might be possible that the viability test only in embryos did not allow the detection of any level of deterioration, shown as lipid peroxidation in the endosperm [30].

3.2. Germination

The treatments favored final germination; consequently, dormant seeds decreased (Table 1). The coefficients of variation are high, which reflects the genetic variability of the species, given its limited domestication. The dead seeds percentage shows highly erratic behavior. It was high in the twelfth month of storage, which might be explained by limited seed viability (Figure 2). After-ripening is adequate in seeds with moisture contents between 5 and 18% [17]; however, chincuya seeds exceeded these values.

Table 2. Effect of imbibing Annona purpurea (chincuya) seeds in gibberellic acid on germination behavior.

Treatment	Germination (%)	Latent Seeds (%)	Dead Seeds (%)
Gibberellic acid	40.25 A	34.54 B	25.19 A
Control	17.80 B	52.25 A	29.93 A
LSD	5.456	10.896	8.109

Means with the same letter in columns are not significantly different, at p ≤ 0.05 according to the Tukey test. LSD = least significant difference.

confirms the positive effect of applying gibberellic acid on germination. This same behavior has been observed in several Annona species (A. muricata, A. squamosa, A. cherimola, A. macroprophyllata, A. crassiflora, A. emarginata, and atemoya (Annona x atemoya Mabb.), including A. purpurea [13,15,17,21,22,34]. Until now, only exogenous applications of gibberellic acid, cytokines, and ethylene have been reported in Annonaceae [34]. In A. crassiflora germination, gibberellin promoted the production and reactivation of several hydrolytic enzymes involved in using endosperm reserves [12].

Storage increased the viability of the chincuya seeds (Figure 2). The germination increase by the dry storage period might occur because of changes in sensitivity to gibberellin or germination inhibitors [17]. Imbibed chincuya seeds contain gibberellins and abscisic acid [21,22]. Also, Bewley et al. mentioned that imbibed seeds synthesize gibberellins [20]. Bazin et al. discovered that the release of dormancy in post-ripened sunflower seeds is linked to the availability of free water and the movement of molecules within the seeds’ embryonic areas [35]. These authors suggest that changes in the bonding properties of water, resulting from oxidative processes, enable metabolic activities. Other mechanisms that might explain the after-ripening effect include non-enzymatic reactions that eliminate germination inhibitors, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants [36], membrane alterations [37], and specific protein degradation through the proteasome [38]. Taiz and Zeiger mention that developing seeds synthesize gibberellins [19], and following the results found by Vidal-Lezama et al., who pointed out that chincuya embryos grow during warm-dry storage [8], it is possible to assume a continuum in the synthesis of gibberellins (although not exclusively) in the seed.

On the other hand, the location of the species in the phylogenetic tree and its relationship with dormancy should be noted. According to Chatrou, the Annonaceae family is very ancient [38], and Forbis et al. recognized that primitive angiosperms have seeds with tiny embryos and abundant endosperm around them [39]. Likewise, other researchers mentioned that morphophysiological dormancy is a plesiomorphic character [40]. However, some seeds have no dormant period [41]; for example, the seed may delay germination in Annona after its morphological and physiological ripening. In contrast with other authors, Duke considers the absence of dormancy as a primitive character [42]. Using phylogenetic analysis tools for 216,000 legume observations worldwide, researchers found that seeds without dormancy evolved in climates with long growing seasons and in families that produce larger seeds [43].

On the other hand, dormancy matches families of species of temperate origin with smaller seeds. When the favorable growing season is short, dormancy is the only adaptation and survival strategy. Previous research indicates that most non-dormant species are in tropical forests [10,16].

Considering the above information, the sampled chincuya trees grow in a sub-humid warm climate (Chicomuselo, Chiapas, México). In the preceding years, according to the sampling recollection, rainfall was mainly concentrated between May and October (1331.3–2432.2 mm), up to 89.2% of the annual rainfall. September was the rainiest month, with an average of 27.4% of the rainy months. The large seed size is due to the species’ habitat [8] compared to other Annona species and rainfall seasonality. The functional strategy of the seeds is likely to maintain metabolic activity at a lower rate than when they were inside the fruit and attached to the tree; for this, the dormancy manifests as a germination delay. At the same time, they acquire the germination capacity as time passes and the rainy season arrives. Chincuya seeds naturally remain in the soil for seven months and germinate when the first rains of May come. The results in Table 1 point out that six-month storage is the best time to reach germination, and in natural conditions, seeds remain for a remarkably similar time. Likewise, the temperature during the applied storage was similar (25 °C) to that of their natural conditions, where the 4-year average was 23.8 °C.

3.3. Fatty Acids Content

The analysis of fatty acids revealed high lipid values in the seeds (

Table 3. Fatty acid content of seeds of Annona purpurea (chincuya).

Fatty			Acid			Percent
Saturated						Unsaturated
Palmitic Acid (C16:0)	Stearic Acid (C18:0)	Arachidic Acid (C20:0)	Total Saturated Fatty Acid (SFA)	Oleic Acid (C18:1)	Linoleic Acid (C18:2)	Palmitoleic Acid (C16:0)	Total Unsaturated Fatty Acids (UFA)	UFA/SFA ratio
33.41 ± 6.02	7.72 ± 1.20	1.30 ± 0.57	42.44	43.37 ± 3.67	7.24 ± 7.18	1.52 ± 0.52	52.15	1.22

). When oxidized, the lipid reserves of seeds produce more than twice as much energy per volume unit as the hydrolysis of proteins or carbohydrates [6], which results in an advantage for the germination process. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) were slightly higher than saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The concentrations of oleic acid as a UFA and palmitic acid as an SFA are highlighted. It is known that oleic acid plays a vital role in the anabolism of plant fatty acids as the precursor of the primary unsaturated fatty acids. Their high content can then be explained. Table 4 shows that chincuya seeds have more fatty acids than other species. For palmitic and stearic acids, chincuya seeds had the highest values.

In A. purpurea, Pérez-Amador et al. identified the same fatty acids as in this research, except for arachidic and palmitoleic acids [44]. The concentrations reported by these authors were palmitic acid at 26.38%, stearic acid at 3.7%, oleic acid at 43.67%, and linoleic acid at 26.25%; oleic acid concentration was the only coincidence. Arachidic acid is only reported in sugar apples (A. squamosa) (Table 4), and the content is higher in chincuya. Palmitic acid is not mentioned in other species, except for soursop (A. muricata), which has a similar concentration. The relation between UFA and SFA (1.22) in chincuya seeds (Table 3) shows that the total of saturated and unsaturated acids is not entirely different; they are balanced, in contrast to what is observed in other species of the genus Annona (Table 4). Figure 3 shows no significant changes in the studied fatty acids content in response to storage time.

Table 4. Fatty acid percentage of four seeds of the Annona genus.

Fatty Acid	Soursop (%) (A. muricata) Z	Cherimola (%) (A. cherimola) Y	Ilama (%) (A. macroprophyllata) X	Sugar Apple (%) (A. squamosa) W
Palmitic	25.5	19.99	16.4	17.79
Palmitoleic	1.5	ND	ND	ND
Stearic	6.0	4.16	5.22	4.29
Oleic	39.5	38.58	70.42	39.72
Linoleic	27.0	36.97	7.97	29.13
Arachidic	ND	ND	ND	1.06
Relationship U/S U	2.44	2.21	3.62	2.97

^Z [45]; ^Y [46]; ^X [32]; ^W [47]. ^U Ratio of unsaturated (U) fatty acids and saturated (S) fatty acids. ND no determined. Calculated with data reported by the authors.

Table 4. Fatty acid percentage of four seeds of the Annona genus.

Fatty Acid	Soursop (%) (A. muricata) Z	Cherimola (%) (A. cherimola) Y	Ilama (%) (A. macroprophyllata) X	Sugar Apple (%) (A. squamosa) W
Palmitic	25.5	19.99	16.4	17.79
Palmitoleic	1.5	ND	ND	ND
Stearic	6.0	4.16	5.22	4.29
Oleic	39.5	38.58	70.42	39.72
Linoleic	27.0	36.97	7.97	29.13
Arachidic	ND	ND	ND	1.06
Relationship U/S U	2.44	2.21	3.62	2.97

^Z [45]; ^Y [46]; ^X [32]; ^W [47]. ^U Ratio of unsaturated (U) fatty acids and saturated (S) fatty acids. ND no determined. Calculated with data reported by the authors.

The fatty acid content did not decrease significantly after 12 months (Figure 3). However, it is known that deterioration can occur due to prolonged storage, causing oxidation of the fatty acids present in the seed, as it is pointed out in Tabebuia roseoalba (Ridl.) Sand with seeds stored for 24 months [48]. The different composition of fatty acids means different susceptibility to peroxidation. High saturated fatty acid contents speed the deterioration process of recalcitrant seeds during their storage in American oak (Quercus rubra L.) [49] and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) [50].

Table 5. The fatty acid content of Annona purpurea (chincuya) seeds: recently extracted, without incubating (intact), and recently extracted, incubated (imbibed).

	Percentage of Fatty Acids
Seed Condition	Palmitic	Palmitoleic	Stearic	Oleic	Arachidic	Linoleic	Total
Recently extracted without incubating (intact)	30.62 A z	1.71 A	7.81 A	47.05 A	1.69 A	12.75 A	98.15 A
Recently extracted incubated (imbibed) latent	29.61 A	1.18 A	6.03 B	44.19 A	0.98 A	7.62 A	91.60 B
LSD	9.00	0.82	1.60	6.17	0.77	11.51	5.92

^Z According to the Tukey test, mean values with the same letter in columns are not significantly different (p ≤ 0.05). LSD = least significant difference.

shows the values of the fatty acids evaluated in the freshly extracted seeds (without storage) but without having been placed under germination conditions (intact) and newly extracted seeds but imbibed and incubated to promote germination, but in which no radicle protrusion was observed. Statistically meaningful differences are seen in the content of stearic and total fatty acids.

These data and those already mentioned indicate that the incubated seeds reactivated their metabolism using fat reserves even when they did not show radicle protrusion. In physiological dormancy, seeds are water-permeable, and the inhibiting mechanism is in the embryo. Seeds do not germinate because the embryo has a physiological impairment that causes low growth potential. However, as seed dormancy is released, the potential increases to the point that germination is possible [7]. Holdsworth et al. [9] have indicated that the release of physiological dormancy comes from chemical transformations, which affect the metabolic products present in the seeds.

Regression analysis shows trends in differential variations depending on the acid. Fatty acid kinetics reveal that palmitic (Figure 4) and palmitoleic acid (Figure 5) contents increase as the storage time increases, while oleic acid (Figure 6) has a different behavior. In the three cases, R² values are high for these trends. Also, stearic acid (Figure 7) displays an increasing tendency as storage time increases, but the corresponding R² value is low. On the other hand, arachidic (Figure 8) and linoleic acids (Figure 9) show a downward trend as the storage period increases; however, R² values are also low.

Expectations about future research. From the human nutrition and energy sustainability points of view, fatty acids content in chincuya seeds is important because the number of seeds per fruit is high; it may be feasible to promote its cultivation for biofuel production. The chincuya seed values for saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are high. Given that the consumption of unsaturated fatty acids supports vascular health, consumption as a source of edible oil could be feasible. However, developing the necessary tests to determine safety is essential due to the acetogenin content and other metabolites recognized as cytotoxic [2].

4. Conclusions

The fatty acids identified were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and, for the first time, arachidic acid and palmitoleic acid. The use of gibberellic acid and warm-dry storage improved germination. Together with previously reported findings on morphological transformations and embryonic growth resulting from the same storage conditions, it is confirmed that Annona purpurea seeds exhibit morphophysiological dormancy.