Decomposition of aqueous solutions of gibberellic acid on autoclaving

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the decomposition of unbuffered and buffered (pH 3–8) aqueous solutions of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on autoclaving is recorded. The identified products, which vary in composition with pH, are iso-GA₃ (II), iso-GA₃ hydroxy acid (III), gibberellenic acid (IV), allogibberic acid (V), epiallogibbe detected after autoclaving in all cases. The identified products, in all cases, account for not less than 95% of the decomposition product, Dehydroallogibberic acid has not previously been recorded as an aqueous decomposition product of GA₃ and its biological activity in the lettuce hypocotyl test is recorded.