FREEZER-INDEPENDENT PRESERVATION OF CARBOHYDRATE SAMPLES FROM WATER PLANTS - A METHODOLOGICAL TEST

Two freezer-independent methods for the preservation of soluble carboh ydrates in macrophyte tissues were tested against fresh as well as fro zen controls, the latter jointly analysed after storage for up to 4 we eks. Eight soluble monosaccharides and oligosaccharides were covered, including sucrose, fructose and glucose, in photosynthetic tissues of six species of aquatic macrophytes. Fixation in 5% formalin did not pr ove satisfactory, while sterilisation at 110 degrees C after extractio n did. Extraction and sterilisation can both be done by relatively sim ple means. When reliable availability of electric power cannot be take n for granted, e.g. in remote areas or during long-distance transport, such methodology will prove its usefulness.