Some cell-wall constituents of Cetraria islandica (“Iceland Moss”)

Abstract

The cell-walls contain lichenin, iso-lichenin, hemicelluloses and cellulose; pectin, pento-sans and lignin are absent. The hemicelluloses are of 3 types, all of which contain galactose, mannose and galacturonic acid only; 2 of the hemicelluloses possess a resistant acid nucleus, and a less resistant portion from which mannose is absent. The relation between the chemical nature of the cell-wall constituents and the habit of growth of the lichen is discussed.