A SULFOLIPID IN PLANTS

Abstract

A sulfolipid-S35 was isolated from photosynthetic microorganisms and higher plants after culture in media containing radiosulfate. Alcohol extracts of Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Rhodospirillum rubrum,' barley, clover, New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia expansa) chloroplasts, chive, and green sections of coleus were Ch/orefla-S chromatographed on paper and found Alcoho;) Extract to contain varying amounts of a radioactive compound with high Rf values (Fig. 1). Its concentration in Chlorella Sulfoipid was 4 10-M, which exceeds those of the major plant phosphatides. The radiochromatographic method has revealed its chemical composition and aspects of its molecular structure. Materials and Methods.-Isolation of sulfolipid-S35: A suspension of approximately 100 mg of C. pyrenoidosa or of Scsnedesmus D3 in 30 ml of low-sulfur (ca. 10-5 M total sulfates) culture medium R containing 1 mc carrier-free sulfate-SM5 in a glass cylinder was perfused with 5 per FIG. 1.-Radiogram of alcohol extract of cent carbon dioxide-enriched air and illu-Chlorella-S35. Chromatograms are developed minated with a 20-watt fluorescent lamp. from the origin at the lower left with phenol-During one week the cells increased five-water (1) to the right and with butanol-propi-onic acid-water (2) upwards. fold. They were centrifuged from the medium and washed three times with water. The cells were extracted twice with 5-ml portions of hot absolute ethanol and twice with hot 25 per cent chloroform in ethanol.