IN SITU LOCALIZATION OF POLYISOPRENE IN A RUBBER PRODUCING PLANT, EUCOMMIA ULMOIDES OLIVER

摘要

The localization of polyisoprene in young stem tissues of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver was investigated by histochemical staining and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FT-IR). The fibrous structures were stained with Oil Red O. FT-IR microspectroscopy analysis proved that the fibrous structures were indeed trara-polyisoprene. The presence of granular structures clearly stained with the dye and having a characteristic absorption at 2960 cm~(-1) in FT-IR suggested that trans-polyisoprene accumulated in the vicinity of the cambium layer. We have successfully showed the localization of trans-polyisoprene in plant tissues for the first time, and our histological investigation allowed us to presume the main sites of biosynthesis and accumulation of rubber.