APPLICATION OF MICROSPECTROFLUORIMETER/MICROSPECTROPHOTOMETER FOR THE STUDY OF THE SURFACE OF PLANT CELLS

The fluorescence and absorbance spectra of intact plant leaf cells from juniper Juniperus excelsa, Jerusalem-sage Phlomis tuberosa, butterbur Petasites spurius, centaury Centaurea scabiosa and wild chervil Anthriscus sylvestris have been obtained using the microspectrofluorimeter/ microspectrophotometer MSF-15 (LOMO, St. Petersburg). The obtained spectra of autofluorescence and absorbance made it possible to test the composition of compounds outside the cell wall. This tool is able to detect the presence of secretions on the surface of intact cells, including secondary metabolites with the fluorescence maxima in the region of 530-550 nm, characteristic of phenolic compounds. In the absorbance spectra of leaves, maxima were found in the region of 580-620 nm, which is peculiar to blue pigments azulenes. The presence of azulenes on the surface of cells has been confirmed by short-term extraction of these pigments with ethanol or acetone. Similar methodical approach has been recommended for rapid analysis of intact surfaces of plant cells.