The lipid metabolism of plants : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry at Massey University

Abstract

A method , based on the isolation of pure compounds by a combination of DEAE-cellulose and thin-layer chromatography , has been developed for the rapid and quantitative estimation of the major glycerolipids of plant tissues. The method has been used 1) for the analyses of the major glycerolipids of a wide variety of plant species and 2) as part of a detailed chromatographic analysis of the glycerolipid constituents of the green alga Mesotaenium caldariorurn during which two unknowm lipids, probably glycerolipids, were isolated. On the basis of the incorporation of radiocarbon from 14C-labelled precursors into the glycerlipids of both Mesotaenium cells and pumpkin leaves, the likelyhood [sic] of relatively low turnover rates for the various glycerolipids, with the possible exceptions of phosphatidyl glycerol in Mesotaenium and phosphatidyl choline in pumpkin leaf, is discussed. The unusual growth requirements of Mesotaenium caldariorum in liquid culture is discussed briefly.