DELAYED LIGHT EMISSION IN GREEN PLANT MATERIALS: TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENCE AND QUANTUM YIELD

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Abstract
A device, constructed that is capable of recording the decay curve of green plant luminescence from 0.0015 second to approximately 30 seconds after excitation by a flash discharge. Absolute quantum yield measurements of emitted light give values of the order of 10-6 for Chlorella and Scenedesmus and 10-7 for spinach chloroplasts. These low yields are in accord with the interpretation of delayed light emission as a reversal of photosynthesis. The luminescence exhibited an extremely complex temperature dependence suggestive of a multiprocess mechanism. A substantial luminescence decay is measureable at temperatures as low as -170[degree]C and this is interpreted as demonstrating that the early processes following light absorption are physical rather than enzymic. Evidence is presented to support the contention that the later stages of emission are of an enzymic nature.

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