Staining and Acid Phosphatase Reactions of Spherosomes in Plant Tissue Culture Cells

Spherosomes in plant tissue culture cells from normal sunflower stems and sunflower crown gall tumors reacted similarly to several nonfluorescent and fluorescent lipid dyes. Sudan IV and black B were good selective spherosome stains. The lipid fluorochromes, Nile blue and 3, 4‐benzpyrene were excellent selective spherosome stains and visualized the smallest particles more readily than did Sudan IV. Spherosomes could not be seen in tissues stained with Sudan IV or 3,4‐benzpyrene after ether‐alcohol extraction. Acid phosphatase was detected on the spherosomes in both normal and tumor tissues using the lead sulfide precipitation and the post‐incubation coupling procedures.