Induction by EDTA of Anthocyanin Synthesis in Spiroldela oligorrhiza

Abstract

EDTA greatly increased anthocyanin synthesis in S. oligorrhiza, the effect being much greater in light than in dark. The effect was not given by ethylene glycol bis(ß-aminoethyl ether)- N-N'-tetraacetic acid, possibly because of the different stability constants of the two chelating agents. Benzyladenine increased anthocyanin levels in the absence of EDTA, being more effective in the dark, but it did not increase the amount accumulated in the presence of EDTA. Manganese chloride abolished the EDTA effect. The EDTA effect on anthocyanin synthesis was usually accompanied by a decrease in chlorophyll content but not always. The effect on anthocyanin preceded that on chlorophyll.