19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Anatomical and Chemical Characteristics of Mucilage Production in Brasenia (Cabombaceae, Nymphaeales)
Iran S. Tabatabaeian
Dr. Jeffrey M. Osborn and Dr. Brian D. Lamp, Faculty Mentors
Brasenia schreberi, commonly known as the water shield, is a water lily that belongs to the family Cabombaceae in the order Nymphaeales. Brasenia is of significant evolutionary interest because water lilies are considered to be among the most primitive flowering plants. Brasenia is also interesting because it produces an abundant gelatinous mucilage that covers many underwater organs. This research is the first investigation to integrate anatomical and chemical analyses of mucilage production in Brasenia. Fresh samples of Brasenia were studied using combined light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mucilage is produced by numerous epidermal hairs, or trichomes, that cover the surfaces of young stems, floral buds, petioles, and the undersides of leaves. Each secretory trichome is elongate and multicellular. Mucilage secretion does not occur within the internal body of the plant. The chemical composition of mucilage appears to be primarily composed of polysaccharides.
Keywords: Brasenia, Nymphaeales, Cabombaceae, Mucilage, Microscopy, HPLC, Polysaccharide, Trichome
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 54-2
Location: VH 1412
Time: 3:00