Lack of 26 kDa globulin accompanies increased free amino acid content in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains

Seed nitrogen content, protein composition and free amino acid content were determined in rice mutant lines with altered storage protein composition and their parental cultivars. The Lgc1 gene, which causes low glutelin content and high content of 13 kDa prolamin and 26 kDa globulin, did not affect grain weight, nitrogen content, or free amino acid content. The glb1 gene, which lacks the 26 kDa globulin, did not affect grain weight or nitrogen content, but in mutant lines with glb1 gene the content of the major free amino acids was significantly (1.3–1.5 times) higher than those of their parental cultivars. These results suggest that absence of 26 kDa globulin is accompanied by an accumulation of a high level of free amino acids in rice grains.