Abstract
SummaryEffects of a nonionic surface active agent (lauroyl/myristoyl di (2‐hydroxyethyl) amide) and one anionic surfactant (sodium (linear) dodecylbenzene sulphonate) on cell ultrastructure were determined using Phalaenopsis protocorms. There were no observable effects after 5 days exposure to 1000 ppm of the nonionic. However, the anionic caused severe damage. Drastic changes in morphology, loss of membranes, swelling of thylakoids and appearance of dense osmophilic granules were evident in chloroplasts. Other effects include disintegration of polysomes into monosomes; swelling of mitochondria; dispersion of chromatin in the nucleus; appearance of unidentified vesicles in the cytoplasm and plasmolysis of cells. These ultra‐structural changes can be attributed to the possible emulsification of membrane lipids as well as precipitation and dispersion of cellular proteins.
Highlights
Surfactants inhibit the growth of orchid seedlings (Ernst, Arditti and Healey, 1971; Ernst and Arditti, 1968), elongation ofcorn roots and germination of oat seeds (Buchanan, 1965) and possess phytotoxic qualities (Furmidge, 1959a, b; Parr and Norman, 1964)
This paper presents evidence regarding ultrastructural changes which accompany the inhibition of growth and decrease in survival caused by selected surfactants
No observable ultrastructural changes occurred in protocorms treated for 5 days with the nonionic lauroyl/myristoyl di(2-hydroxyethyl) amide (LDA) but it did bring about growth retardation and killing after several months (Ernst et al, 1971)
Summary
Surfactants inhibit the growth of orchid seedlings (Ernst, Arditti and Healey, 1971; Ernst and Arditti, 1968), elongation ofcorn roots and germination of oat seeds (Buchanan, 1965) and possess phytotoxic qualities (Furmidge, 1959a, b; Parr and Norman, 1964). The reasons for surfactant phytotoxicity are complex, there is some evidence to suggest that it may be, at least partially, due to their emulsifying effects on cytomembranes or other lipid-containing structures. Some workers (Deamer and Crofts, 1967; Kellner, Correll and Ladd, 1951; Scanu et al, 1961; Swanson and Whitney, 1953; Parr and Norman, r964; Kondo and Tomizawa, 1966, 1968) have shown that processes located on cytomembranes or substances making up their structure are disrupted. This paper presents evidence regarding ultrastructural changes which accompany the inhibition of growth and decrease in survival caused by selected surfactants
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