Mass spectrometric analysis of the carbon isotope composition in plant leaves via sample gasification using oxidation by yeast

Abstract

The paper describes a new developed method of sample gasification using yeast oxidation of monosaccharides in plant tissue for 13C/12C isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis. Variations in the carbon isotopic composition of the leaf surface have been shown; the δ13C value for chlorophytum varies from -37 ‰ to -32 ‰ from the tip of the leaf to its base. It has been shown first that the spectral composition of radiation affects the ratio of carbon isotopes in plant leaves: the predominance of blue component in the spectrum results in accumulation of heavy 13C isotope up to δ13C = -25 ‰.