FIGURE 3.

The proposed functions of oligofructans during barley grain development. Conversion of sucrose into oligofructans during the prestorage phase is supposed to maintain a high glucose to sucrose ratio in the developing endosperm and thus preventing premature differentiation into storage cells. During the storage phase inulin-type oligofructans accumulate in the transport tissues presumably protecting transport active cells from ROS-inflicted oxidative damage by sequestration into their plasma membranes. The black bars indicate the hypothesized insertion of oligofructans between the head groups of membrane phospholipids.