Visualization of Microlejeunea ulicina by using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Oil bodies are highly distinctive organelle uniquely found in liverworts. Besides the importance of this structure in taxonomy, many of the secondary metabolites contained within the oil bodies are also of the great value as potential sources of medicines. Thus, the investigation of liverwort ultrastructure is essential to give an insight into the oil bodies structure and function. Microlejeunea ulicina is one species of the leafy liverworts found in Universitas Indonesia that has not previously been reported to exist in Java island. The aim of this study is to investigate the ultrastructure of M. ulicina by using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). M.ulicina were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, post-fixed with 4% Osmium tetroxide, dehydrated with Ethanol series, and then subjected to resin embedding. After samples embedding, sectioning by ultramicrotome was performed. Post-staining with Uranyl acetate and Lead Citrate was carried out following sectioning and the samples were finally observed by TEM. Our results showed the ultrastructure of M. ulicina for the first time. The structure of oil bodies could be distinguished with the other parts of the cells. Further analysis of the oil bodies by comparing our data with other species of leafy liverwort in Universitas Indonesia will be beneficial for the species identification as well as the exploration of their secondary metabolites.