Determination of rare earth elements in plant protoplasts by MAA

A preliminary study on the speciation of rare earth elements in plant cells has been carried out by molecular activation analysis (MAA). Mesophyll pro toplasts of Brassica napus were isolated by enzymatic digestion. After bein g washed with isosmotic solution containing EDTA for several times, the pro toplasts were purified by gradient centrifugation. Then the concentration o f rare earth elements (REEs) in the protoplasts was determined by neutron a ctivation analysis. The result shows that REEs can enter the cells of the p lant.