Cellulose in the cell walls of the Bangiophyceae (Rhodophyta)

Mechanically isolated cell walls of the conchocelis phase of Bangia fuscopurpurea yield cellulose II (regenerated cellulose) upon treatment with Schweitzer's reagent. X-ray powder analysis and thin-layer chromatography of partial hydrolyzates confirm the presence of cellulose in this extract. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of wall hydrolyzates indicates that xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose are major wall constituents. The presence of cellulose in the conchocelis provides evidence that this bangiophycean life cycle phase represents a transitional form or link between the two classes of red algae, Bangiophyceae and Florideophyceae. This suggests a close affinity of the two classes of the Rhodophyta and supports the hypothesis that bangiophycean algae were precursors of the Florideophyceae.