Last updated 21st November 2004 by David Cuthbertson on behalf of the Professor LWJ Holleman Trust.
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Foreword to the present version of this report; David Cuthbertson, 1999
1 Introduction: Transmutation in inorganic nature
2 Transmutation in organic nature
3 Directions for biological transmutation experiments
4 Critical review of earlier experiments
5 Arguments for and against further research
6 Description of [Holleman's] own biological transmutation experiments
7 Holleman's experiments 1975-1982: Experiment II
8 Holleman's experiments 1982-1987: Experiment V
9 Holleman's experiments 1987-1989: Experiment VI
10 Critical discussion of Holleman's Chlorella experiments
11 Conclusions and recommendations
Appendix I: An Obituary of Professor L.W.J. Holleman
1 Introduction: Transmutation in inorganic nature
1.2 Transmutation in inorganic nature
1.3 Older transmutation ideas: Alchemy and vitalism in old agricultural science
2 Transmutation in organic nature
2.1 Vitalism in 19th c. agricultural science
2.2 Biological transmutation experiments to 1842
2.3 An attempt at an historical justification of the vitalistic idea
2.4 The end of the vitalistic period. Wiegmann and Polstorff's experiments
3 Directions for biological transmutation experiments
3.1.1 Spatial considerations: The closed system
3.1.2 The necessity of control experiments and the statistical handling of results
3.1.3 The duration of the experiment
3.1.4 Step-wise analysis of parallel, identical systems
3.1.5 Extent of the organic process
3.1.5.1 Composition of the nutrient solution
3.1.5.2 The cumulative method
4 Critical review of earlier experiments
4.2 Wiegmann and Polstorff's experiment
4.3 Later research: v. Herzeele, Spessard, Kervran, Goldfein
6 Description of [Holleman's]own biological transmutation experiments
6.3 Composition of the experimental series
6.3.1 Experiments I-III (1975-1982)
7 Holleman's experiments 1975-1982: Experiment II
7.1.1 Overview
7.1.2 Apparatus and materials
7.1.2.1 Shaking bath
7.1.2.2 Containment materials (quartz vessels)
7.1.2.3 Other glassware
7.1.2.4 Chemicals
7.1.2.5 Gas supply
7.1.2.6 Lighting
7.1.2.7 Sterilisation
7.1.3 Nutrient solution
7.1.4 Algal cultures
7.1.4.1 Production of cultures
7.1.4.2 Measurement of cell numbers
7.1.5 Procedure
7.1.5.1 Growth of cultures
7.1.5.2 Ashing and provision of new nutrient solutions
7.1.5.3 Controls
7.1.5.4 Chemical analysis
7.2 Results
7.2.1 Analytical results
7.2.2 Health of the cultures
7.2.3 Sources of error
8 Holleman's experiments 1982-1987: Experiment V
8.1.1 Overview
8.1.2 Apparatus and materials
8.1.2.1 Temperature controlled chamber
8.1.2.2 Containment materials of cultures
8.1.2.3 Other glassware
8.1.2.4 Chemicals
8.1.2.5 Gas supply and agitation of culture
8.1.2.6 Lighting
8.1.2.7 Sterilisation
8.1.3 Nutrient solution
8.1.4 Algal cultures
8.1.4.1 Production of cultures
8.1.4.2 Measurement of cell numbers
8.1.5 Procedure
8.1.5.1 Growth of cultures
8.1.5.2 Ashing and provision of new nutrient solutions
8.1.5.3 Controls
8.1.5.4 Chemical analysis
8.2 Results
8.2.1 Analytical results
8.2.2 Health of cultures
9 Holleman's experiments 1987-1989: Experiment VI
9.1.1 Overview
9.1.2 Apparatus and materials
9.1.2.1 Lighting
9.1.3 Measurement of cell numbers
9.1.4 Procedure
9.1.4.1 Light/dark regime
9.1.4.2 Ashing
9.1.4.3 Chemical analysis
9.2 Results
9.2.1 Synchronicity of cultures
9.2.2 Health of cultures
10 Critical discussion of Holleman's Chlorella experiments
10.1.1 Overview
10.1.2 Apparatus and materials
10.1.2.1 Shaking bath and temperature controlled chamber
10.1.2.2 Containment materials of cultures
10.1.2.3 Other glassware
10.1.2.4 Chemicals
10.1.2.5 Gas supply and agitation
10.1.2.6 Lighting
10.1.2.7 Sterilisation
10.1.3 Nutrient solution
10.1.4 Algal cultures
10.1.4.1 Production of cultures
10.1.4.2 Measurement of cell numbers
10.1.5 Procedure
10.1.5.1 Growth of cultures
10.1.5.2 Ashing and provision of new nutrient solutions
10.1.5.3 Controls
10.1.5.4 Chemical analysis
10.2 Results
10.2.1 Analytical results
10.2.2 Health of cultures
10.2.3 Sources of error