Abstract
Rims of bordered pits form on the primary walls of radially enlarged cambial derivatives prior to the onset of general secondary-wall formation. A recent report (Botany, 2014, 92(7): 495–511) raised the possibility that the chemical composition of the rim might be different from that of the secondary wall. To investigate this, early-stage nonfluorescent and late-stage autofluorescent rims were separated from cambial derivatives of Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. and purified to homogeneity by density-gradient centrifugation. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, combined gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy, enzyme digestion, and chemical resilience data support the interpretation that cellulose alone is the microfibrillar polysaccharide of nonfluorescent early-stage rims. A lignin is additionally present in late-stage rims, and it evidently bonds with cellulose because rims are extraordinarily resistant to hydrolysis by either enzymes or strong acid.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.