Nature of the Bonds Holding Pectic Substances in Nitella Cell Walls

Abstract

Experimental evidence has been presented that the non-ionic, acid-labile and base-stablebonds involving pectic carboxylate groups, both oriented and not-oriented, play an importantrole in holding pectic substances in the cell wall of Nitella. Participation of hydroxyl groups in the bonds has been confirmed by the vapor phase deuteration method. Irreversible aciddegradation of the cell wall ultrastructure associated with the carboxylate groups has also been demonstrated by acid-base titrimetry.