Georg Bauer1, Thomas Speck. 1. Plant Biomechanics Group, Botanic Garden, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany. georg.bauer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The functions of plant latex have been discussed for a long time. Today, many studies support a defence mechanism as being its main function. A role as a self-healing mechanism was never attributed to the coagulation of latex. In this study we quantified the contribution of the coagulation of Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) latex to a restoration of the mechanical properties of the bark after external lesions. METHODS: Tensile tests of F. benjamina bark were conducted either immediately after injury or at various latency times after injury. KEY RESULTS: A significant increase in the tensile strength of bark samples until 30 min after injury was found, and this effect could be attributed to the coagulation of plant latex alone. The tensile strength remains nearly constant until several hours or days after injury. Then, very probably due to other mechanisms such as cell growth and cell proliferation, the tensile strength begins to increase slightly again. CONCLUSIONS: The coagulation of latex seals lesions and serves as a quick and effective pre-step of subsequent, more effective, long-lasting self-healing mechanisms such as cell growth and proliferation. Thus, a fast self-healing effect can be included in the list of functions of plant latex.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The functions of plant latex have been discussed for a long time. Today, many studies support a defence mechanism as being its main function. A role as a self-healing mechanism was never attributed to the coagulation of latex. In this study we quantified the contribution of the coagulation of Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) latex to a restoration of the mechanical properties of the bark after external lesions. METHODS: Tensile tests of F. benjamina bark were conducted either immediately after injury or at various latency times after injury. KEY RESULTS: A significant increase in the tensile strength of bark samples until 30 min after injury was found, and this effect could be attributed to the coagulation of plant latex alone. The tensile strength remains nearly constant until several hours or days after injury. Then, very probably due to other mechanisms such as cell growth and cell proliferation, the tensile strength begins to increase slightly again. CONCLUSIONS: The coagulation of latex seals lesions and serves as a quick and effective pre-step of subsequent, more effective, long-lasting self-healing mechanisms such as cell growth and proliferation. Thus, a fast self-healing effect can be included in the list of functions of plant latex.
Authors: Georg Bauer; Christian Friedrich; Carina Gillig; Fritz Vollrath; Thomas Speck; Chris Holland Journal: J R Soc Interface Date: 2013-10-30 Impact factor: 4.118
Authors: Georg Bauer; Stanislav N Gorb; Marie-Christin Klein; Anke Nellesen; Max von Tapavicza; Thomas Speck Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-11-19 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Antony V Samrot; S Saigeetha; Chua Yeok Mun; S Abirami; Kajal Purohit; P J Jane Cypriyana; T Stalin Dhas; L Inbathamizh; S Suresh Kumar Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-12-31 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Cloé Paul-Victor; Sara Dalle Vacche; Federica Sordo; Siegfried Fink; Thomas Speck; Véronique Michaud; Olga Speck Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-10-05 Impact factor: 3.240