The first stage of galactomannan mobilization in carob is a limited amount of dissolution in the walls of all endosperm cells. When this ceases, extensive breakdown of galactomannan takes place around the cotyledons and extends progressively towards the testa. There is no evidence that galactomannan mobi¬lization in the endosperm of this species is regulated by hormones produced in the embryo. However, catabolic processes may well be influenced by the source-sink relationship between the endosperm and the embryo, and possibly also by the presence of inhibitors (Kontos and Spyropoulos, 1995).