PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM IN MARINE ALGAE: IV. THE FATE OF C14-MANNITOL IN FUCUS VESICULOSUS

Abstract

C14-mannitol was supplied to fronds of F. vesiculosus, and its conversion into CO2 and other compounds was studied. Only small amounts of the mannitol taken in were metabolized. Mannitol is apparently not an immediate substrate of respiration, but in time it may be converted into some other substances which are. Dilute acid-soluble polysaccharides acquired small amounts of radioactivity, but most of the mannitol which underwent metabolism was eventually converted to residual carbohydrates. It is concluded that mannitol is probably a storage compound rather than an active metabolite.