Effects of Temperature, Cell Culture Age and Aeration on the Autolysis of Cultured Tobacco Cells

Abstract

Some conditions of autolysis in cultured tobacco cells were examined for temperature, cell culture age and aeration. Cells autolyzed readily at 45°C. Seventy percent of the dry matter, almost 100% of the soluble sugar, 40% of the insoluble sugar and 60% of the total nitrogen in the initial cells were excreted within 5 hr of incubation in water. At lower physiological temperatures, excreted substances were reabsorbed into cells during the early period of incubation under aerobic conditions.
Rapidly growing cells excreted larger amounts of sugar, nitrogen and solid matter than did non-growing cells during autolysis at 30°C.
Plasmolysis was observed in autolyzed cells.
Autolysis was makedly stimulated by anaerobic conditions.