Comparative stabilization of biological photosystems by several immobilization procedures

Summary Lettuce thylakoids were immobilized by various methods selected to provide the chloroplast membrane with different environments. These included proteins (albumin and gelatin), polysaccharides (carrageenan and alginate gels) and synthetic polymers (photocrosslinkable resins and polyurethans). Large variations were observed in the activity yield after immobilization (ranging from 3% to 70%), in the storage stability (at 4°C in absence of light) and in the functional stability (continuous work at 20°C under illumination).