ABSTRACT
Photoluminescence of plant extract solutions has been investigated for discrimination of plant life forms (grasses, forbs, and shrubs) using principal component analysis (PCA). Clippings from each of six plant species representing three different plant life forms potentially found in the diets of free-ranging herbivores in the Chihuahuan Desert of North America were investigated for possible discernment. These plants included Sporobolus flexuosus (mesa dropseed, a grass), Pleuraphis mutica (tobosa, a grass), Dimorphocarpa wislizenii (spectacle pod, a forb), Sphaeralcea incana (pale globemallow, a forb), Flourensia cernua leaves (tarbush, a shrub), and Atriplex canescens leaves and stems (fourwing saltbush, a shrub). Emission spectra (370-600 nm) from phosphate buffered saline (PBS) extract solutions (pH 2.2, 7.5 and 12.5) were recorded for each plant with excitation at 365 nm. Use of PBS minimized chlorophyll interference. Discernment among plant life forms within these plant species was achieved.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Poaceae/chemistry , Sodium Chloride , Animals , Animals, Wild , Buffers , Desert Climate , Luminescence , Phosphates , Plant Leaves/chemistry , SolventsABSTRACT
Fluorescent contaminants have been observed when stock solutions of phosphate buffered saline solutions at each of three pH values (2.2, 7.5, and 12.5) are analyzed after passing through commercially available filter paper. The filtrate's fluorescence was observed to exhibit a maximum signal at 440.0 nm when excited at 365 nm. Detection of trace components could have significant implications in the design and implementation of sample processing protocols when using fluorescence.
