Rapid Isolation of Mesophyll Cells from Leaves of Soybean for Photosynthetic Studies

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Abstract
Mesophyll cells were rapidly isolated from soybean (Glycine max [L.]) leaves using a conbined Macerase enzyme-stiring technique. About 50-70% of the leaf cells on a chlorophyll basis from 3 g of leaves was isolated in 15 min. The cells obtained by this method were capable of high rates of photosyntehsis even after storage in the dark for periods of up to 9 h. The CO2-saturated rate of photosynthesis increased from 5 .mu.m CO2/mg Chl .cntdot. h at 5.degree. C to 170 .mu.m CO2/mg Chl .cntdot. h at 40 .cntdot. h. At atmospheric CO2 concentration, the rate varied from 5-55 .mu.m CO2/mg Chl .cntdot. h over this temperature range. The reduced temperature response of photosynthesis at low CO2 concentration was due to an increased Km(CO2) of the cells with increasing temperature. The products of photosynthesis in the isolated cells were similar to the products of leaf photosynthesis.