Abstract
Phosphatase activity associated with mycorrhizal fungi has been assessed with different methods. In this chapter the possibilities, advantages and limitations of a substrate called enzyme-labelled fluorescence, i.e., the ELF-97 substrate, are discussed. This fluorogenic substrate forms a bright green fluorescent precipitate when the phosphate group is enzymatically removed, indicating the site of activity. A detailed protocol for the ELF method in mycorrhizal research is given.
The ELF method is fast to perform and has a high sensitivity. The substrate is suitable for location, visualisation and quantification of acid and alkaline phosphatase activity associated with mycorrhizal fungal structures. It has been successfully used with different ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
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Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Dr. P.A. Olsson for valuable suggestions on this chapter.
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van Aarle, I.M. (2009). Assessment of Phosphatase Activity Associated with Mycorrhizal Fungi by Epi-Fluorescent Microscopy. In: Varma, A., Kharkwal, A.C. (eds) Symbiotic Fungi. Soil Biology, vol 18. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-95894-9_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-95894-9_6
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