綠葉に含まれる微量金屬に就て

Abstract

In the previous paper1), I have reported with my coworkers that the amount of trace metals, such as iron, copper, manganese and zinc, was accumulated more in deep green colored part, and less in pale green part of green leaves. The chemical affinity of these metals to chloroplasts is different. The chloroplastic and cytoplasmic matters as well as water soluble substances are separated by centrifuge from the pressed juice obtained from the ground pepper plant leaves. On each fraction of the separated filtrate we have analysed the trace metals, whose results are shown in the tables given in my Japanese report on the following page. As seen in the tables, the greater part of iron is found to be fixed in the chloroplastic matter, while other metals mainly in the cytoplasmic matter. In the chloroplastic matter there are found, besides iron, small amounts of copper, manganese and zinc. It is uncertain whether they are the essential constituents of chloroplasts or not. In addition to these results I discussed the biocatalytic significance of heavy metals relating to photosynthesis. 1) K.Kondo, S.Mori and M.Kajima: This report 19, 66 (1949)