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

Summary 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.