Investigation of macromolecule orientation in dry and hydrated walls of single onion epidermal cells by FTIR microspectroscopy

Polarised infrared spectra from the wall of a single epidermal onion cell were obtained using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscope. The use of a newly constructed hydration cell allowed studies of both composition and architecture of intact walls of single hydrated plant cells. By comparing spectra taken with infrared light polarised perpendicular, or parallel, to the long axis of the cell, orientations of macromolecules in dry and hydrated cell walls were investigated. It was observed that bands associated with pectin were stronger with polarisation perpendicular to the direction of the cell elongation. On the other hand, bands associated with cellulose were more intense with polarisation parallel to the direction of cell elongation. These results show that in dry and hydrated cell walls, not only was there a net orientation of cellulose, but also of pectin. The implication of this is that pectin, which was previously thought to play no structural role in cell walls may, in fact, contribute to the mechanical and structural properties of the cell network. Such results are likely to have a tremendous impact on the formulation of definitive models for the static and growing cell wall. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.