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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Permeability of Isolated Eucalyptus gummifera Cuticle Towards Alcohols and Amides

MI Whitecross and FV Mercer

Australian Journal of Botany 20(1) 1 - 7
Published: 1972

Abstract

The permeability of cuticle isolated from E. gummifera towards a range of aliphatic alcohols and amides was measured in vitro. These compounds were selected to assess the importance of lipoid solubility and molecular size in penetration of cuticle by non-electrolytes. Permeabilities were examined in relation to molecular refractions (as a measure of molecular volume) and oil/water partition coefficients (as a measure of lipoid solubility) of the permeating substances. Results were consistent with the cuticle functioning generally as a lipoid membrane which allows substances to permeate by passive diffusion according to their lipoid solubilities. A molecular sieve model might account rather better for the smallest of the permeating molecules. No asymmetry was observed in regard to inward and outward movement of alcohols or amides.

As a first approximation, the isolated cuticle behaves as a homogeneous lipoid membrane having some aqueous pores.

https://doi.org/10.1071/BT9720001

© CSIRO 1972

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