CONVERSION OF INTRASPORAL TREHALOSE INTO REDUCING SUGARS DURING GERMINATION OF NOSEMA-ALGERAE (PROTISTA, MICROSPORA) SPORES - A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

Carbohydrates were extracted from dormant, stimulated and germinated s pores of Nosema algerae. Concentrations of total sugars were measured by the Anthrone test. Non-reducing sugars were quantified by NaOH hydr olysis followed by the Anthrone reaction, and reducing sugars by the N elson's test. Glucose was measured by the o-toluidine test and a gluco se oxidase assay. The concentrations of trehalose in the cytoplasm of the dormant, ungerminated spore was estimated to be in excess of 1.0 M . Trehalose decreased by 70% during the five-minute course of germinat ion. All of the lost trehalose was converted to reducing sugar of whic h 70-78% was glucose. The osmotic potential increase caused by catabol ism of trehalose appears to be sufficient for germination.