Studies on aqueous extracts of three green algae as an elicitor of plant defence mechanism

Codium elongatum, Caulerpa texiflora and Ulva lactulus (green algae) were c ollected from Karachi coast, High Molecular Weight Crude Elicitor Preparati on (HMWCEP) of these plants were obtained by sequential extraction of H2O, dilute NaOH and HCl, ethanol precipitation and freeze drying. Results showe d that yields were high in NaOH extracts ranging from 4.3 - 69.6%. These HM WCEP were chemically analysed for total sugar, protein, SO4 group and uroni c acid content. Elicitor activity was determined in terms of induced browni ng in Cicer arietinum (chickpea) tissues. Amongst the three algae HMWCEP of Codium elongatum was found the most active elicitor and produced maximum b rowning after 24 hour incubation at 25 degrees C.