CELL-WALL IMAGES OF MARINE ALGAE BY METACHROMATIC METHOD

Cell-wall images of marine algae by metachromatic method

Hüseyin Erdugan, Kasım Cemal Güven, Burak Coban, Rıza Akgül

Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Art, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17100, Çanakkale, TURKEY
Turkish Marine Research Foundation, (TUDAV), P.O. Box: 10, Beykoz, Istanbul, TURKEY
Department of Chemistry, Bülent Ecevit University, 67100, Merkez, Zonguldak, TURKEY
Faculty of Fisheries, Kastamonu University Kuzeykent Campus, Kastamonu, TURKEY

Abstract

Metachromatic image of cell-walls were investigated for seven algae. Species; red: Acanthophoranayadiformis , Chondria capillaris , Phyllophora crispa , brown: Petalonia fascia , Cystoseira barbata, Dictyota dichotoma and green: Ulva linza . The tested methachromatic dyes were azur II, methylene blue and thioflavine. In this work, locations of algal acidic and sulfated polysaccharides in cell-wall of red and brown algae were demonstrated by metachromasy , except in green algae. The metachromatic method clearly showed the cell wall constituents of algae. Cuticle and epidermal cells intensely stained but also the inner cell wall polysaccharide accumulation clearly shown. The most obvious staining and color change was seen by azur II.

Keywords: Metachromasy, algae, cell wall components, acidic polysaccharides