The isolation from peat of certain nucleic acid derivatives

Abstract

In a previous communication* describing the stimulating effect of certain organic substances, extracted from “bacterised” peat, on the growth of Lemna minor in water-culture solution, it was suggested that some of the substances may act directly as organic nutrients, being absorbed as such and utilised directly for building up the protein and other complex nitrogenous constituents of the plant. The marked effect of these substances on the development of the nucleus in the cells of the Lemna minor plants also suggested the possible presence of some nuclear constituent, such as nucleic acid, in the extracts. An examination of the aqueous extract of “bacterised” peat showed that, although it contained no nucleic acid, certain purine and pyrimidine bases, together with phosphoric acid, were present. As the presence of these free radicles indicated the possibility that nucleic acid exists as such in raw peat, and is decomposed by further bacterial treatment, an attempt was made to isolate nucleic acid from raw peat.