COMPOSITION OF CELL-WALL MICROCAPSULES MANUFACTURED FROM CHENOPODIUM-ALBUM CELL-WALLS

Vesicular packing materials (VPs), i.e. clusters of cell wall microcapsules, were analysed for cell wall components. Treatment of deproteinized clusters (VP1) with 2% Na2CO3 at 24-degrees or 55-degrees resulted in complete deesterification of methoxylated galacturonic acid (GalA) residues and a strong reduction in cell wall acetylation. If the Na2CO3 treatment of VP, was carried out at room temperature, the GalA content of the resulting material (VP2) Was only slightly reduced (12%) and the content of free acidic groups in the cell wall matrix was increased. A higher loss of GalA (40-50%) was found after Na2CO3 treatment at 55-degrees (VP3). The contents of D-plactose (Gal) and L-arabinose (Ara) residues are reduced by the alkaline treatment in a similar proportion to that of GalA and L-rhamnose (Rha). The binding capacity of VP, for galactose-specific lectins is higher than that of VP1, presumably because of the increased cell wall porosity. The results are discussed with respect to practical applications of the VPs.