A recent e-mail targeting ESA members had a new product from Dynamax, Inc. called Dualex, capable of phenolic measurements. The description said:
"The Dualex clip leaf instrument is an easy to use tool to determine plant well-being and measure specific component contents. The patented technology used in the Dualex clip is based on chlorophyll fluorescence and on the screening properties of polyphenols contained in the plant leaf epidermis.This procedure is not destructive and is very quick and simple. It requires no calibration or adjustment of the light source. No preparation of the plant is required and the measurement can be taken outside, in an open field, or under ambient light." Has anyone used this machine before? Is it based on a sound premise? I don't work in the field of plant defense, but thought it might be useful for teaching labs (e.g., comparing species). Thanks, Becky Ostertag
