title: Maintenance of plant cell membrane integrity and function by the immobilisation of protoplasts in alginate matrices.
abstract: Isolated protoplasts (Vicia faba) suspended in a mannitol solution over a time period of about 10 d undergo a process of aging characterised by increased ethane formation, decrease in oxygen evolution and CO2 uptake, pigment degradation and a change in certain enzyme activities (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase and protease). The technique of immobilisation of protoplasts in a cross-linked alginate matrix offers a way to delay the appearance of the indicators mentioned. Various possible mechanisms for the increased stability of protoplasts are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Botanik und Mikrobiologie der Technischen Universität, Arcisstrasse 21, D-8000, München 2.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schnabl
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Youngman
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zimmermann