In situ studies on alginic acid synthesis and other aspects of the metabolism of Laminaria digitata

Abstract

Amino acids, particularly alanine and aspartate, become more strongly labeled than mannitol in short-term ¹⁴C-photoassimilation experiments. The amino acids are the most likely sources of carbon for alginic acid synthesis and respiration in the dark, in contrast to mannitol, which appears to be relatively unavailable. Temperature is very important in determining the rate of loss of recent photoassimilate in L. digitata. The rate of photosynthesis, on a fresh weight basis, is much higher for blades than for stipes.The time course for incorporation of photoassimilated carbon into alginate differs for the stipe and blade both in light and dark periods. Very little ¹⁴C enters alginate in blades in the dark, while alginate in stipes acquires considerable amounts of activity during dark periods. Alginate in both blade and stipe acquires ¹⁴C predominantly in mannuronic acid residues of their alginate during short-term photoassimilation periods, while guluronic acid residues become relatively more rapidly labeled during dark periods.