BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY OF GALACTOGLUCOMANNAN-DERIVED OLIGOSACCHARIDES

A mixture of galactoglucomannan-derived oligosaccharides (GGMOs), degree of polymerization 4-8, (approximate to 1.2 mu M and approximate to 12 mu M) stimulated the viability of spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] embryos predominately on media supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid: zeatin (0.01:1, 1:0.01 mg 1(-1)), at pH 5.0. Their effects on the development and morphogenesis of embryos were dependent on the culture conditions used. These GGMOs also improved the viability of spruce protoplasts when applied at the same concentrations in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, and to a lesser extent with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at pH 3.8. Viability was also maintained in the presence of GGMOs when the growth hormones were absent; however, the efficiency of protoplast division was low.