Main description:

Modem Methods of Plant Analysis When the handbook Modern Methods of Plant Analysis was first introduced in 1954 the considerations were: 1. the dependence of scientific progress in biology on the improvement of existing and the introduction of new methods; 2. the difficulty in finding many new analytical methods in specialized journals which are normally not accessible to experimental plant biologists; 3. the fact that in the methods sections of papers the description of methods is frequently so compact, or even sometimes so incomplete that it is difficult to reproduce experiments. These considerations still stand today. The series was highly successful, seven volumes appearing between 1956 and 1964. Since there is still today a demand for the old series, the publisher has decided to resume pUblication of Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. It is hoped that the New Series will be just as acceptable to those working in plant sciences and related fields as the early volumes undoubtedly were. It is difficult to single out the major reasons for success of any publication, but we believe that the methods published in the first series were up-to-date at the time and presented in a way that made description, as applied to plant material, complete in itself with little need to consult other publications. Contributing autllors have attempted to follow these guidelines in this New Series of volumes.

Contents:

Biosynthesis of Cell-Wall Polysaccharides: Membrane Isolation, in Vitro Glycosyl Transferase Assay and Enzyme Solubilization.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Membrane Isolation.- 2.1 Isolation of Crude Membrane Fractions.- 2.2 Plasma Membrane Enriched Preparations.- 3 Assay Methods for Glycosyl Transferases.- 3.1 General Aspects.- 3.2 Glucan Synthase Assay.- 4 Solubilization Methods.- 4.1 Overview.- 4.2 Solubilization Techniques.- 5 Summary.- References.- Analysis of Cross-Links in the Growing Cell Walls of Higher Plants.- 1 Background.- 1.1 Polymeric Components of the Growing Cell Wall.- 1.2 The Value of Specific Degradative Techniques.- 1.3 Cross-Links in the Assembly of a Growing Cell Wall.- 2 Chemistry of Cross-Links.- 2.1 Chemistry of Noncovalent Cross-Links.- 2.2 Chemistry and Properties of Covalent Cross-Links.- 3 Methods for Breaking Cross-Links.- 3.1 Methods for Breaking Noncovalent Cross-Links.- 3.1.1 Methods for Breaking Hydrogen-Bonds.- 3.1.2 Methods for Breaking Ionic Bonds.- 3.1.3 Methods for Breaking Calcium Bridges.- 3.2 Methods for Breaking Covalent Cross-Links.- 3.2.1 Methods for Breaking Phenolic Coupling Products.- 3.2.2 Methods for Breaking Glycosidic "Cross-Links".- 3.2.3 Methods for Breaking Ester Cross-Links.- 4 Authentic Low-Molecular-Weight Models of Possible Cross-Links.- 4.1 Synthesis of Artificial Hydroxycinnamoyl-Carbohydrate Esters.- 4.2 Isolation of Naturally Occurring Feruloyl Disaccharides.- 4.3 Synthesis of Uronoyl-Sugar Esters.- 4.4 Synthesis of Isodityrosine.- 5 Alternative Methods.- References.- Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride and Cell-Wall Analysis.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Glycoprotein Deglycosylation.- 3 Selective Cleavage of Glycosidic Linkages.- 3.1 Apparatus Necessary.- 3.2 Transfer of HF from HF Tank to the HF Reservoir.- 3.3 HF Solvolysis of Cell Walls.- 3.4 Filtration of the Reaction Mixture.- 3.5 Recovery of Sugars from the HF/Ether-Soluble Fraction.- 4 Characterization of Cell-Wall Fractions.- 4.1 HF/Ether-Soluble Fraction.- 4.2 Water-Soluble Fraction.- 4.3 Water-Insoluble Residue.- 4.4 Final Residue.- 4.5 Summary.- 5 Vapor-Phase HF Solvolysis of Lignocellulose.- 5.1 Lignocellulose Sample Preparation and Anhydrous HF Properties.- 5.2 Vapor-Phase HF Solvolysis Apparatus and Protocol.- 5.3 Sugar Analysis.- 5.4 Sample Results for the Hardwood Populus grandidentata.- 5.5 Microscopy of the Residual Lignin Framework.- References.- Immunogold Localization of Specific Components of Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Production of Polysaccharide-Specific Antibodies and Tests for Specificity of Antibodies.- 2.1 Preparation of Antibodies.- 2.2 Specificity of Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies for Cell-Wall Polymers.- 2.3 Specificity of Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies to Saccharides.- 3 Immunolabeling with the Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies.- 3.1 Preparation of Plant Tissues for Immunolabeling.- 3.2 On-Grid Immunolocalization with Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies.- 3.3 Results of Immunolabeling with Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies.- 3.4 Problems Encountered During Immunolabeling.- 4 Conclusion.- References.- Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Measurements in Plant Cellulose Analysis.- 1 Stable Isotopes.- 2 Isotope Ratios in Plants.- 3 Preparation of Samples for Combustion.- 3.1 Cellulose Extraction.- 3.2 Cellulose Nitration.- 4 Preparation of Gases for Isotopic Analysis.- 4.1 Hydrogen.- 4.2 Oxygen.- References.- Analysis of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes of Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Isolation and Fractionation of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from the Milled Wood Lignin Fraction.- 2.1 Isolation of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from Milled Wood Lignin Fraction.- 2.1.1 Preparation of Extractive-Free and Depectinated Plant Meal.- 2.1.2 Extraction of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from Milled Wood Lignin Fraction.- 2.1.3 Fractionation of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes.- 2.1.4 Comments on Hydrophobic Chromatography.- 2.2 Isolation of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from the Residual Plant Meal Previously Extracted with Aqueous 1,4-Dioxane.- 2.3 Purity and Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes.- 3 Methods for Analyzing Constituent Units of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes.- 3.1 Determination of Component Sugars.- 3.2 Determination of Configuration of Sugars.- 3.3 Structural Determination of Monomeric Units of Lignin.- 3.4 Methylation Analysis.- 3.5 Periodate Degradation Analysis.- 3.6 Determination of Esterified Components.- 3.7 Determination of Etherified Phenolic Acids.- 3.8 Spectroscopic Analysis.- 4 Linkage Analysis Between Lignin and Carbohydrates.- 4.1 Separation of LCC Fragments by Adsorption Chromatography.- 4.2 Linkage Analysis Between Lignin and Carbohydrates by Oxidative Cleavage.- 5 Linkage Analysis Between Phenolic Acids and Carbohydrates.- 5.1 Isolation of Oligosaccharides Containing Esterified Phenolic Acids.- 5.2 Structural Determination of Phenolic Acid-Containing Oligosaccharides.- 6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Fluorometric Measurement of Callose and Other 1,3-?-Glucans.- 1 Introduction.- 1.1 Nature and Function of Callose.- 1.2 Regulation of Callose Synthesis.- 1.3 Advantages and Limits of Fluorometric Callose Measurement.- 2 Procedures.- 2.1 Preparation of Plant Material.- 2.2 Callose Extraction and Assay.- 2.3 Instrumentation and Calibration.- 2.4 How to Optimize for New Problems.- 2.5 Callose Extraction with Dimethylsulfoxide.- 3 Application to Other l,3-?-Glucans.- References.- Measuring ?-Glucan Deposition in Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Chemical Analysis.- 2.1 Colorimetry.- 2.2 Chromatography.- 2.3 Methylation Analysis.- 3 Fragmentation Analysis.- 3.1 Mixed-Linkage Glucan.- 3.2 1,3-?-Glucan and Cellulose.- 3.3 Xyloglucan.- 4 Visualization.- 4.1 1,3-?-Glucan and Mixed-Linkage Glucan.- 4.2 Cellulose.- 4.3 Xyloglucan.- 4.3.1 Fluorescence-Labeled Lectins.- 4.3.2 Immuno-Gold Localization.- 5 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Methods Used in the Chemistry of Lignin Biodegradation.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Degradation of Polymeric Lignin.- 2.1 Preparation of Polymeric Lignin.- 2.2 Analysis of Polymeric Lignin Degradation Products.- 2.3 Analysis of Low-Molecular-Weight Degradation Products.- 3 Degradation of Lignin-Substructure Model Compounds.- 3.1 Preparation of Lignin-Substructure Model Compounds.- 3.2 Analysis of Degradation Products.- References.- Measuring Lignin Degradation.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Lignin Preparations as Substrates for Lignin Degradation Studies.- 3 Methods for Measuring the Degradation of Lignin.- 3.1 Objective Evaluation of Lignin Degradation.- 3.2 Chemical Analysis.- 3.3 Spectroscopy.- 3.4 Gel Permeation Chromatography.- 3.5 Radioisotopic Methods.- 3.6 Microscopy and Related Techniques - Estimation of Lignin in Situ.- 3.7 Calorimetry.- References.- Methods for Studying the Plant Cytoskeleton.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Immunoblotting with Commercial Antibodies to Identify Isoforms of Actin and Tubulin Separated by Two-Dimensional Gel-Electrophoresis.- 2.1 Sample Preparation.- 2.2 Electrophoresis.- 2.3 Transfer.- 2.4 Immunostaining.- 2.5 Specificity.- 3 Immunofluorescence in Higher Plant Cells.- 4 Methods for Giant Algal Cells.- 4.1 Intracellular Perfusion for Reactivation, Localization and Selective Extraction of Cytoskeletal Structures.- 4.2 Production of Monoclonal Antibodies Using Immunofluorescence Screening.- 5 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Analysis of Extensin Structure in Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Isolation of Extensin Precursors.- 2.1 Elution of Precursors from Cell Walls.- 2.2 Carboxymethyl Cellulose Ion Exchange Chromatography.- 2.3 Gel Filtration Chromatography.- 3 Deglycosylation of Extensin.- 4 Visualization of Isolated Molecules.- 5 In Vitro Cross-Linking of Extensin Monomers.- 6 Quick-Freeze, Deep-Etch of Wall Assemblies.- 7 Immunolocalization of HRGPs.- 8 Conclusion.- References.- Methods for Analysis of Dietary Fibre.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Problems Associated with DF Analysis.- 2.1 Fresh and Processed Foods.- 2.2 Determination of the Monomeric Composition.- 2.3 Lignin.- 3 Isolation and Analysis of Milligram Quantities of DF: An Assessment of Different Methods.- 3.1 Observations on the Procedure of Theander and Co-workers and the Modification by Faulks and Timms.- 3.2 Observations on the Procedure of Englyst et al.- 3.3 Observations on the AOAC Method.- 3.4 Analysis of Sugars in DF Preparations.- 4 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Methods Used in the Investigation of Insoluble Dietary Fiber.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Sample Pretreatment for Determination and Preparation.- 3 Analytical Methods for Determination.- 4 Sample Preparation for the Investigation.- 4.1 Detergent Method.- 4.2 Enzymatic Method.- 4.3 Large-Scale Preparation.- 5 Chemical and Physical Properties.- 5.1 Analysis of Sugar Components.- 5.2 Observations of the Surface.- 5.3 Measurement of Physical Properties.- 5.4 Determination of Adsorptive Properties.- 5.5 Conformation Analysis.- 6 Nutritional Properties of Dietary Fiber.- 7 Summary.- References.- Measurement of Lint Production in Cotton and Factors Affecting Yield.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Description of Growth Patterns.- 2.1 Vegetative Development.- 2.2 Reproductive Development.- 2.3 Earliness in Maturity Patterns.- 3 Determination of Yield and Yield Components.- 3.1 Hand Harvesting.- 3.2 Determination of Yield Components.- 3.3 Machine Harvesting.- 3.4 Sampling Technique for Fiber Quality Measurements.- 4 Analysis of Cotton Plant Growth.- 4.1 Collection of Primary Data.- 4.2 Growth Analysis Formulae.- 4.3 Nondestructive Methods for Assessing Reproductive Development.- 5 Resource Allocation.- 5.1 Lint Yield Determination.- 5.2 Growth Analysis Studies.- References.- Analysis of Carbohydrates Conferring Hardness on Seeds.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Cytochemical Localization.- 2.1 Light Microscopy.- 2.1.1 Cryostat Sectioning and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) Staining.- 2.1.2 Specific Iodine-Staining of Xyloglucans.- 2.2 Electron Microscopy.- 3 Quantitative and Compositional Analysis.- 3.1 Galactomannan by Gravimetric and Compositional Analysis.- 3.2 Xyloglucan by Extraction and Purification.- 3.3 Lupin-Seed Cotyledonary Polysaccharides by Hydrolysis of Alcohol- Insoluble Residues.- 3.4 Enzymatic Analysis.- 4 Biosynthesis.- 4.1 Galactomannan Biosynthesis in Vitro.- 5 Conclusion.- References.- Methods Used in Monitoring and Controlling the Quality of Bread with Particular Reference to the Mechanical Dough Development Process.- 1 Introduction.- 2 MDD Bread Processes.- 2.1 Origins of MDD Processes.- 2.2 Operating Conditions for Batch MDD Processes.- 2.3 Commercial Practice in MDD Bakeries.- 3 Laboratory Evaluation and Testing for the MDD Process.- 3.1 Bread Properties.- 3.2 Ingredient Formulae for MDD Bread.- 3.3 Flour Properties.- 3.4 Performance Testing for MDD Processes.- References.- Analytical Methods for Gelation of Soybean Proteins.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Analysis of the Gelation Process and its Mechanism.- 2.1 Conformational Changes in Soybean Proteins.- 2.2 Association-Dissociation Behavior.- 3 Gel Analysis.- 3.1 Network Structure.- 3.2 Gel Extraction.- 3.3 Analytical Methods for Examining Rheological and Textural Properties of a Gel.- 4 Relationships Between Protein Structure and Gel Properties.- 4.1 Native Proteins.- 4.2 Artificial Proteins.- References.- Techniques of Solar Crop Dryers.- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Drying Process.- 2.1 Drying Parameters.- 2.2 Effect of Parameters.- 3 Solar Drying Techniques.- 3.1 Direct-Mode Solar Dryers.- 3.2 Indirect-Mode Solar Dryers.- 4 Calculations for the Drying System.- 4.1 Wind Ventilation.- 4.2 Natural Convection.- 4.3 Forced Ventilation.- 4.4 Example: Calculation of Design Parameters.- 5 Conclusions.- References.