Abstract
The proteolytic activities of the germinating linseed using casein, azocoll and linseed globulin as substrats showed a steady increase until 48 h of germination, followed with a rapid increase reach a peak after 3 days lag of germination and then declined again. While caseolytic activity was significantly correlated with the percent of degradation of the major globulin bands throughout germination, endopeptidase measured with azocoll as substrate and autodigestive activities were significantly correlated with some bands and not with the others. Caseolytic, endopeptidase, autodigestive activities are significantly correlated with the percent of degradation of the major globulin bands in the period of germination from 48 h until 96 h. The two exopeptidases investigated have shown different patterns. The carboxypeptidase was very active in the early period of germination, while aminopeptidase was active at the later stages. The activities of exopeptidases are significantly correlated with the amino acids content in the period of germination where the exopeptidases are at their maximum activities. This indicated their active role in the mobilization of the major globulin protein. In conclusion both exopeptidase and endopeptidase works in harmony to regulate the degradation of the major globulin proteins of linseed.