The effect of cyanide and some other carbonyl binding reagents on glycolate excretion by Chlorella vulgaris.

The excretion of glycolate by illuminated Chlorella vulgaris cells at low CO2 tension can be stimulated about tenfold by substituting O2 for air, or by addition of cyanide, hydroxylamine, hydrazine or semicarbazide to the cells in air. For each reagent there is a concentration range giving a maximum effect. It is proposed, as a working hypothesis, that the HCN formed internally when the cells are illuminated in O2, may cause the glycolate excretion.