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EXTRACTIVE AND ENZYMATIC ANALYSES FOR LIMITING OR SURPLUS PHOSPHORUS IN ALGAE
Author(s) -
Fitzgerald George P.,
Nelson Thomas C.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8817.1966.tb04589.x
Subject(s) - algae , biology , phosphorus , green algae , enzyme , substrate (aquarium) , limiting , alkaline phosphatase , biochemistry , botany , ecology , chemistry , mechanical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
SUMMARY An extractive procedure for detection of surplus‐stored phosphorus (luxury consumption) in algae and an enzymatic analysis for conditions of P‐limited growth in algae have been evaluated. A simple 60‐min boiling water extraction of algae known to contain surplus P separates essential P compounds and surplus‐stored P compounds. Surplus P compounds can be measured in the extract as orthophosphate. Extracts of algae limited in their growth by the amount of available P contain little or no orthophosphate. Limitation of algal growth by P supply induces the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. The activity of this enzyme can be measured at pH 9 using p‐nitro‐phenylphosphate as substrate. Algae which were P‐limited and contained no extractable orthophosphate have as much as 25 times more alkaline phosphatase activity than algae with surplus available P.