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Comparison of Two Methods for the Routine Extraction and Quantification of Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Tree Tissues


Hannah Jaenicke
Margaret Thiong’o

Abstract

Rooting success of cuttings for vegetative propagation is largely dependent on the reserve of carbohydrates in the plant tissue. In order to predict rooting potential of cuttings, analysis of their non-structural carbohydrate content is necessary. Few methods for simple extraction and quantification of storage carbohydrates exist. Widely used with large sample quantities is the anthrone method which, however, poses safety and environmental hazards through the use of concentrated acids. An enzymatic test specific to glucose was compared with the anthrone method. Shoot and root samples of Melia volkensii, an indigenous tree in Kenya, were used to compare the methods. Whereas the enzymatic test proved highly reliable for free glucose, it was not useful for the analysis of glucose derived after hydrolysis of starch with perchloric acid. For starch analysis, the iodine/iodide colour reaction was found to be acceptable. Taking the limitation of the anthrone method into account, it was found the most useful for determination of total soluble sugars within plant samples.


Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol. 2 (1) 1999: 46-55

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eISSN: 1561-7645