Application of fast chlorophyll a fluorescence transient (OJIP) analysis to monitor functional integrity of pea (Pisum sativum) mesophyll protoplasts during isolation

Abstract

Intact and metabolically very active mesophyll protoplasts were isolated rapidly from pea (Pisum sativum) leaves. The functional performance of protoplasts at various stages of their isolation was analyzed by using fast Chl a fluorescence OJIP transients and compared with that of intact leaves. The results demonstrated that the OJIP transients could successfully be used to monitor the quality of mesophyll protoplasts at different isolation steps. The protoplasts maintained their integrity and photosynthetic status very well, and their performance was very similar to that of the intact leaves.