Inexpensive Technique for Production of C14 Alfalfa for Animal Feeding Experiments

For preparing C/sup 14/-labeled alfalfa, for use as a tracer in rumen metabolism studies, a special growth chamber, in which C/sup 14/O/sub 2/ of high specific activity was utilized in the photosynthetic process, is described and illustrated. The growth chamber was constructed of 3/8-in. clear Plexi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of dairy science Vol. 46; no. 7; pp. 745 - 748
Main Authors Keith, C. L, Bartley, E. E, Sorensen, E. L, Fina, L. R, Stanton, D. W
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Champaign Am Dairy Sci Assoc 01.07.1963
American Dairy Science Association
Subjects
ALFALFA
ANIMALS
BARIUM CARBONATES
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CALCIUM OXIDES
CARBON 14
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONDENSERS
ECONOMICS
ETHYLENE
FOOD
HUMIDITY
JOINTS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
METABOLISM
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANTS
PLEXIGLAS
POLYMERS
PREPARATION
PRESSURE
PUMPS
QUANTITY RATIO
TEMPERATURE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
VARIATIONS
WATER
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Summary:For preparing C/sup 14/-labeled alfalfa, for use as a tracer in rumen metabolism studies, a special growth chamber, in which C/sup 14/O/sub 2/ of high specific activity was utilized in the photosynthetic process, is described and illustrated. The growth chamber was constructed of 3/8-in. clear Plexiglas held together by brass machine screws at 2-in. intervals. The Plexiglas edges were softened with ethylene dichloride before being fastened to form air-tight joints, and all seams were calked on the inside with a nonhardening calking compound as a precaution against leakage. A dehumidifier was placed in the chamber and water condensed by it was recirculated to the plants by an electric vertical immersion pump. Pressure changes within the chamber due to temperature and barometric fluctuations were absorbed by a spirometer. An air conditioner was positioned to blow into a canopy covering the chamber. Total cost of the chamber was approximates 0, including labor, all parts, accessories, and dehumidifier but excluding an air conditioner. A measured amount of BaC/sup 14/O/sub 3/ was used as a source of C/sup 14/O/sub 2/, which was generated by introduction of 85% phosphoric acid into a tube containing the carbonate. The quantities of C/sup 14/ used which was recovered in the dry wt of the total plant averaged 33.8%. The greatest recovery of C/sup 14/ was in the healthiest and most vigorously growing plants. The percentage of C/sup 14/ recovered in plant material was similar, whether all the C/sup 14/O/sub 2/ was released at periodic intervals during growth or only once. The chamber can also be used for labeling other plants in either soil or hydroponic culture. (BBB)
Bibliography:USDOE
ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(63)89135-3