[Detection of secretion of beta-galactosidase by plant cells]

A simple, sensitive and reproducible method of detection of extracellular beta-galactosidase was worked out. beta-Galactosidase secreted by the callus culture, or the roots of sprouting plants, hydrolyzes the substrate (6-bromo-2-naphthyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside) to produce beta-D-galactose and 6-bromo-2-naphthol, which after simultaneous azocoupling with hexazotized p-rosaniline, or basic fuchsine, produce a reddish brown compound, nearly insoluble in water (a diazonium salt). The colouring under the callus culture and around it, as well as the colouring of the roots of the sprouting plants, is a manifestation of the activity of extracellular beta-galactosidase by the objects under study. The intensity of the colouring is a measure of their enzymatic activity. The share of intracellularly localized enzyme represents the majority and the share of extracellular beta-galactosidase the minority.