Effect of light on respiration and development of photosynthetic cells. Progress report, March 1, 1981-July 31, 1982
The end products produced by unicellular green algae under fermentative conditions have been quantitatively analyzed in order to determine a stoichiometric balance. Chlamydomonas reinhardii was found to ferment its endogenous supply of starch primarily to ethanol, formate and acetate with trace levels of CO/sub 2/, H/sub 2/ and glycerol. The fermentation pattern resembles a type carried out by the enterobacteria with starch converted to pyruvate by classical glycolysis followed by the action of pyruvate-formate lyase. This conversion of pyruvate to acetate, formate and ethanol had previously been reported solely in procaryotic cells. Factors such as acetate, uncouplers and pH which affect the rate of starch breakdown have been evaluated. From an enzymic profile of the amylase, starch breakdown have been evaluated. The initial step appears to be amylolytic. A reproducible method has been developed for the isolation of photosynthetically competent protoplasts and chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardii. Electron microscopy and enzymic analysis established purity of the chloroplasts. We will use the chloroplasts to study H/sub 2/-adaptation, photoreduction, the oxyhydrogen reaction, substrates for dark H/sub 2/ uptake, the interaction between chloroplast and cytoplasm during fermentation and finally, the site(s) of hydrogenase in the eucaryotic cell.
- Research Organization:
- Brandeis Univ., Waltham, MA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76ER03231
- OSTI ID:
- 7056255
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/03231-T1; ON: DE82022502
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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