Mucilage cells

Cortex—in perennial stem cells of cortex may undergo modification into mucilage cells, into tannin receptacles, crystal cells, spiral cells, etc. 

Matthews, M. L. and Endress, P. K. (2006). Floral structure and systematics in four orders of rosids, including a broad survey of floral mucilage cells. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 260, 199-221. 

Smaller, but similar, hairs are also found on the petal tips. No tanniferous cells or special mucilage cells (for term, see Matthews and Endress, 2006) have been observed in buds or anthetic gynoecia. During development, the mesophyll becomes lacunar in all organs. 

Special mucilage cells (for term, see Matthews and Endress, 2006) are present in sepals, petals and gynoecium (Fig 8.9H, I). Because of the poor preservation of the herbarium material used, it is unclear whether they are in the epidermal or subepidermal or even deeper cell layers of the perianth organs. Dining floral development these cells appear successively, from the sepals to the ovules. In the gynoecium they are present only after anthesis and last in the outer integument of the developing seeds (compare Fig 8.9H and I). 

Special mucilage cells present in floral organs. 

The permeation of soil at the root-soil interface by mucilage from the root cap may affect structure, and it may oppose the damaging effects of compression and shearing, but little is known. Another suggested role is that the mucilage assists root-cap cells or acts in concert with them to decrease the friction between the growing root tip and soil (51) or, conversely, that the mucilage acts as a lubricant. 

Cells of concavum adhered tenaciously to the surface of the culture flask and were embedded in mucilage. Only the most vigorous aspiration dispersed these aggregations sufficiently to permit reproducible counts. The mean dorsoventral diameter of cultured cells was 45 im. No morphological differences between axenic and bacterized cells were noted, but Irregularly-shaped cells were common in ESAW control cultures. 

Transmission electron microscopy of immunogold labelled sections has shown that the extracellular lignin-degrading enzymes lignin-peroxidase and laccase were localized within the cell wall and mucilage of the hyphae of C. versicolor. Laccase was present in the cell wall layer whereas lignin-... 

Western, T.L. et al., Isolation and characterization of mutants defective in seed coat mucilage secretory cell development in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol, 127, 998, 2001. 

Trifluoroacetic acid is volatile, and thus readily removed. This acid was used by Albersheim and coworkers for the hydrolysis of plant cell-walls,39 and has since been employed for cell walls,40-43 plant mucilages,44 blood-group oligosaccharides,45 peptidogalactoman-nans,46 heparin,47 and disaccharides in blood and urine.48,49 It has also been suggested as an alternative to 6 M hydrochloric acid in the determination of amino sugars,50 and for the hydrolysis of polyalcohols produced by periodate oxidation of polysaccharides.503 Lee... 

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Uses Topical treatment of wounds, bruises, sprains, inflammation Action Multiple chemical components, allantoin promotes cell division, rosmarinic acid has anti-inflammatory effects, tannin possesses astringent effects, mucilage is a demulcent w/ anti-inflammatory properties, pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatotox Available forms Topical application w/ 5—20% of herb applied on intact skin for up to 10 d Contra Do not take orally d/t hepatotox, do not use if PRG or w/ lactation Notes/SE N/V, exfoliative dermatitis w/ topical use Interactions T Risk of hepatotox W/ ingestion of borage, golden ragwort, hemp, Petasites EMS None... 

Gums and mucilages may be found either in the intracellular pans of plants or as extracellular exudates. Those found within plant cells represent storage material in seeds and roots. They also serve as a water reservoir and as protection for germinating seed. The polysaccharides found as extracellular exudates of higher plants appear to be produced as a result of injury caused by mechanical means or by insects. It has not been well established whether the exudates are formed at the site of the injury. 

Aloe latex is prepared by cutting transversely the leaf near the base and kept in an inclined position so that the latex contained in the specialized pericyclic cells, and sometimes in the adjacent parenchyma, flows out in about 6 h. No pressure must be applied or the product will be contaminated with the mucilage present in the inner part of the leaves. The latex obtained is bitter and yellow condensed to dryness, it becomes a shiny mass, similar to broken glass, of a yellowish green to red-black color. Slow evaporation, carried out at an inappropriate temperature, yields an opaque mass with a waxlike fracture. The taste is nauseating and bitter, and the odor sour, recalling that of rhubarb, apple-tart, or iodoform (Sollmann, 1944). 

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