On the Reaction of Algal Cells with Silver Nitrate

Abstract

The reduction of silver nitrate by algal cells was examined on various phyla and species. The patterns of reduction, especially in chromatophores, are essentially same as the Molisch reaction in chloroplasts of higer land plants. The living cells of Porphyra and Bangia., showed the most conspicuous reaction on the large stellate chromatophores. Some of other species also showed distinct reaction by the treatment with silver reagent.
Paper chromatography was employed on the extracts of algal bodies to separate the constituents which cause the reduction. In all cases, except Spirogyra, the ascorbic acid (reduced form) was the unique agent which reduced silver nitrate. The quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid content by indophenol method resulted in the well-established relation between ascorbic acid content and the grade of the Molisch-reaction. It was made sure that silver reagent is available for the tentative detection of ascorbic acid in the living cells. It is also useful to distinguish the living from the dead cells in many algae.