Plant Fibers: (10 Molecular Methods of Plant Analysis)

Modem Methods of Plant Analysis When the handbook Modern Methods of Plant Analysis was first introduced in 1954 the considerations were: 1. the dependence of scientific progress in biology on the improvement of existing and the introduction of new methods; 2. the difficulty in finding many new analytical methods in specialized journals which are normally not accessible to experimental plant biologists; 3. the fact that in the methods sections of papers the description of methods is frequently so compact, or even sometimes so incomplete that it is difficult to reproduce experiments. These considerations still stand today. The series was highly successful, seven volumes appearing between 1956 and 1964. Since there is still today a demand for the old series, the publisher has decided to resume pUblication of Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. It is hoped that the New Series will be just as acceptable to those working in plant sciences and related fields as the early volumes undoubtedly were. It is difficult to single out the major reasons for success of any publication, but we believe that the methods published in the first series were up-to-date at the time and presented in a way that made description, as applied to plant material, complete in itself with little need to consult other publications. Contributing autllors have attempted to follow these guidelines in this New Series of volumes.

Table of Contents:
Biosynthesis of Cell-Wall Polysaccharides: Membrane Isolation, in Vitro Glycosyl Transferase Assay and Enzyme Solubilization.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Membrane Isolation.- 3 Assay Methods for Glycosyl Transferases.- 4 Solubilization Methods.- 5 Summary.- References.- Analysis of Cross-Links in the Growing Cell Walls of Higher Plants.- 1 Background.- 2 Chemistry of Cross-Links.- 3 Methods for Breaking Cross-Links.- 4 Authentic Low-Molecular-Weight Models of Possible Cross-Links.- 5 Alternative Methods.- References.- Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride and Cell-Wall Analysis.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Glycoprotein Deglycosylation.- 3 Selective Cleavage of Glycosidic Linkages.- 4 Characterization of Cell-Wall Fractions.- 5 Vapor-Phase HF Solvolysis of Lignocellulose.- References.- Immunogold Localization of Specific Components of Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Production of Polysaccharide-Specific Antibodies and Tests for Specificity of Antibodies.- 3 Immunolabeling with the Anti-Cell-Wall Matrix Polysaccharide Antibodies.- 4 Conclusion.- References.- Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Measurements in Plant Cellulose Analysis.- 1 Stable Isotopes.- 2 Isotope Ratios in Plants.- 3 Preparation of Samples for Combustion.- 4 Preparation of Gases for Isotopic Analysis.- References.- Analysis of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes of Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Isolation and Fractionation of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes from the Milled Wood Lignin Fraction.- 3 Methods for Analyzing Constituent Units of Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes.- 4 Linkage Analysis Between Lignin and Carbohydrates.- 5 Linkage Analysis Between Phenolic Acids and Carbohydrates.- 6 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Fluorometric Measurement of Callose and Other 1,3-?-Glucans.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Procedures.- 3 Application toOther l,3-?-Glucans.- References.- Measuring ?-Glucan Deposition in Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Chemical Analysis.- 3 Fragmentation Analysis.- 4 Visualization.- 5 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Methods Used in the Chemistry of Lignin Biodegradation.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Degradation of Polymeric Lignin.- 3 Degradation of Lignin-Substructure Model Compounds.- References.- Measuring Lignin Degradation.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Lignin Preparations as Substrates for Lignin Degradation Studies.- 3 Methods for Measuring the Degradation of Lignin.- References.- Methods for Studying the Plant Cytoskeleton.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Immunoblotting with Commercial Antibodies to Identify Isoforms of Actin and Tubulin Separated by Two-Dimensional Gel-Electrophoresis.- 3 Immunofluorescence in Higher Plant Cells.- 4 Methods for Giant Algal Cells.- 5 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Analysis of Extensin Structure in Plant Cell Walls.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Isolation of Extensin Precursors.- 3 Deglycosylation of Extensin.- 4 Visualization of Isolated Molecules.- 5 In Vitro Cross-Linking of Extensin Monomers.- 6 Quick-Freeze, Deep-Etch of Wall Assemblies.- 7 Immunolocalization of HRGPs.- 8 Conclusion.- References.- Methods for Analysis of Dietary Fibre.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Problems Associated with DF Analysis.- 3 Isolation and Analysis of Milligram Quantities of DF: An Assessment of Different Methods.- 4 Concluding Remarks.- References.- Methods Used in the Investigation of Insoluble Dietary Fiber.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Sample Pretreatment for Determination and Preparation.- 3 Analytical Methods for Determination.- 4 Sample Preparation for the Investigation.- 5 Chemical and Physical Properties.- 6 Nutritional Properties of Dietary Fiber.- 7 Summary.- References.- Measurement of LintProduction in Cotton and Factors Affecting Yield.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Description of Growth Patterns.- 3 Determination of Yield and Yield Components.- 4 Analysis of Cotton Plant Growth.- 5 Resource Allocation.- References.- Analysis of Carbohydrates Conferring Hardness on Seeds.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Cytochemical Localization.- 3 Quantitative and Compositional Analysis.- 4 Biosynthesis.- 5 Conclusion.- References.- Methods Used in Monitoring and Controlling the Quality of Bread with Particular Reference to the Mechanical Dough Development Process.- 1 Introduction.- 2 MDD Bread Processes.- 3 Laboratory Evaluation and Testing for the MDD Process.- References.- Analytical Methods for Gelation of Soybean Proteins.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Analysis of the Gelation Process and its Mechanism.- 3 Gel Analysis.- 4 Relationships Between Protein Structure and Gel Properties.- References.- Techniques of Solar Crop Dryers.- 1 Introduction.- 2 The Drying Process.- 3 Solar Drying Techniques.- 4 Calculations for the Drying System.- 5 Conclusions.- References.