Analysis of [14C] indole-3-acetic acid metabolites from the primary roots of Zea mays seedlings using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Methanolic extracts of Zea mays L. cv. Fronica root segments which had been incubated in ¹⁴C] indole-3-acetie acid were analysed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid was found to be rapid and extensive with at least 11 products apparent after a 2 h incubation. A comparison of metabolites of 1-¹⁴C]– and 2-¹⁴C] IAA, calculations of ¹⁴CO₂ evolution, and data on the polarity of products indicated that decarboxylation had not occurred. An average of 34% of the radioactivity remained associated with the indole-3-acetic acid peak.