Analysis of Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, and Tocopherols in Lichens

Abstract

Lichens are dual organisms formed from a symbiotic association of a fungus, the mycobiont, and an alga and/or cyanobacterium, the photobiont, in which numerous photosynthetic cells are intertwined in a matrix of fungal hyphae. Such definitions raise the question as to whether lichens are technically individual organisms. Many aspects of lichen biology are concerned with the interactions of these different organisms. The separation, isolation and culture of the symbionts offers the scientist a fascinating opportunity to study the components and contribute to the understanding of the nature of the symbiosis in lichens. The culture of mycobionts, photobionts and lichen thalli is central for the establishment of experimental systems for lichens, needed to solve questions associated with symbiosis biology. In addition, they are essential to solving the many fundamental problems of lichen physiology, morphogenesis and molecular biology.