Relation between the composition and the acid-sensitivity of some cytochemical reactions of chloragosomes in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris L.

Parallel biochemical and cytochemical examinations of chloragosomes were made. Ethanol-HCl extract of delipidized chloragosome fraction contains phosphatides, metalloporphyrins, further on polyphenolic and aminophenolic compounds, probably related to flavonoids and pteridines, proved by UV-spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. The last 2 compounds were separately extracted by 0.1 N HCl. Previous extraction of sections by 0.1 N HCl resulted in a significant decrease of sudanophilia and in a total abolishment of basophilia and argentophilia in chloragosomes while their eosinophilis and peroxidase reactions become mroe intensive compared with those of the control sections. The role of phenolic compounds in the sudanophilic, basophilic and argentophilic reactions and their masking effect for the eosinophilia and the peroxidase reaction were discussed in relation to the chemical organisation of chloragosomes. Relation of chloragosomes to the lysosomal matrix was suggested.