Stizolobic Acid: a New Amino-Acid in Stizolobium hassjoo
Abstract
TWO new amino-acids have been found in the sap exuded from the cut surface of the epicotyl tips of etiolated seedlings of Stizolobium hassjoo, all parts of which turn black on dying owing to the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. The exudate contains 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and two new amino-acids, as shown by paper chromatography. The RF values of the latter amino-acids coincided with no amino-acids already known, and it is proposed that these compounds be named stizolobic acid and stizolobinic acid, respectively. Stizolobic acid gives rise to an orange spot with ninhydrin (RF = 0.16 in phenol/water (8 : 2 w/w), 0.11 in n-butanol/acetic acid/water (4 : 1 : 2 v/v)), while stizolobinic acid gives a brown spot (RF = 0.24 in phenol/water, 0.14 in n-butanol/acetic acid/water).
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- April 1959
- DOI:
- 10.1038/1831116a0
- Bibcode:
- 1959Natur.183.1116H