Copigments in the blueing of sepal colour of Hydrangea macrophylla

From blue sepals of Hydrangea macrophylla, copigments which show a blueing effect on the hydrangea anthocyanin were isolated and identified as 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid and 3-caffeoylquinic acid. 5-Caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) which was also found in the blue sepals, however, did not show such a blueing effect though it acted as a copigment. Likewise, the 4-esters of p-coumaroyl- and caffeoylquinic acids (not found in sepals) produced purple rather than blue colours. The facts suggest that the stereostructures of 3-p-coumaroyl- and 3-caffeoylquinic acids are effective for molecular interaction between the p-coumaroyl or caffeoyl residue in the compounds and the anthocyanin. The anthocyanin in red and blue sepals of hydrangea was confirmed to be delphinidin 3-monoglucoside.     

Eudesmanolides and costic acid derivatives from Flourensia macrophylla

The aerial parts of Flourensia macrophylla afforded, in addition to compounds similar to those from other Flourensia species, four new eudesman     

γ-Glutamylpeptides from Philadelphus coronarius

Two new γ-glutamylpeptides (γ-l-glutamyl-l-2-amino-3-methylenepentanoic acid and γ-l-glutamyl-2-amino-3-methylene-4-pentenoic acid an     

Iridoid aglycones from Deutzia scabra

Scabrogenin and deutziogenin, the stable aglycones of known iridoid glucosides scabroside and deutzioside, have been isolated from Deutzia scabra. Their structures and mutarotational equilibria were investigated by detailed analysis of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data.     

Malonic acid: The acyl moiety of the Mimulus luteus anthocyanin

Malonic acid has been identified as the acylating agent of the anthocyanin produced by the Mimulus luteus complex.     

Anthocyanins in Salix species: A new anthocyanin in salix purpurea bark

Cyanidin 3-glucoside and delphinidin 3-glucoside (minor component) occurred in the bark of Salix purpurea (29 cultivars examined), S. fragilis (3 cvs), S. americana (4 cvs), S. rubra (1 cv.), S. incana (1 cv.), S. aegyptica (1 cv.) and S. alba (3 cvs) and several hybrids. A previously unrecorded anthocyanin was also present in appreciable amounts in the bark of eleven S. purpurea cultivars, notably those with small leaves. In other large-leaved cultivars of S. purpurea (18) it occurred only in traces or was not detected with certainty. A trace was found in one purpurea hybrid, but it was not detected in four others. Small amounts of the new anthocyanin were also found in S. incana (1 cv.), S. fragilis cv. Basfordiana, S. americana cv. Cordata and one hybrid, but were absent from other cultivars of S. fragilis (2) and S. americana (2), and also from S. alba (3), S. aegyptica (1), S. daphnoides (1), S. rubra (1), S. triandra (1), S. viminalis (1) and three hybrids. The new anthocyanin is unique in containing fructose as well as glucose and is based upon a previously undescribed anthocyanidin, possibly dimeric in nature, which is provisionally named purpurinidin.     

Minor indole alkaloids of Alstonia macrophylla

Three indole alkaloids have been isolated from Alstonia macrophylla Wall. Two of these have been identified as affinisine (I) and picrinine (II). The third, a new base designated picralstonine, has been shown to possess structure (III).     

Chemistry and taxonomy of Ribes

Most species of Ribes are exceptionally rich in prodelphinidin and have no ellagitannins, but some species in certain subsections, nearly all montane in their habitat, contain ellagitannins and are poor in prodelphinidin. Ellagitannins, therefore seem to be produced at the expense of prodelphinidin and their presence is a derived, and not, as thought previously, a primitive character. The flavonoid pattern of the lowland species is very uniform and primitive, with unusually few irregular constituents. The possible origin of Ribes is discussed in relation to other genera of Saxifragaceae and related families, and the conclusion is reached that none of these can be considered as ancestral to Ribes. It is therefore surprising that the fossil record can trace the genus with confidence no further back than the Miocene.     

Lunularic acid and related compounds in liverworts,algae and Hydrangea

Lunularic acid and lunularin were detected in 76 species of hepatics, but not in any of the Anthrocerotales or Algae examined. Lunularic acid, lunularin, 3,4′-dihydroxystilbene and a glycoside of lunularic acid were also identified in extracts of Hydrangea macrophylla roots, together with hydrangenol, hydrangeic acid and their glucosides.     

The triterpenoid acids of Schinus molle

From the acidic fraction of the oleoresin obtained from the berries of Schinus molle was isolated isomasticadienonic, isomasticadienonalic, masticadienonic and 3-epi-isomasticadienolic acids. In addition the new 3-epi-isomasticadienolalic acid was isolated. Both isomasticadienonalic and 3-epi-isomasticadienolalic acids had an aldehydic group attached to C-20. The absolute configuration of this centre was established. The PMR study of the isolated compounds, of their reduction products and O-acetyl derivatives is reported.     

Differences in the incorporation pattern of labelled cinnamic acid and l-phenylalanine into the anthocyanins of Petunia hybrida

The incorporation of phenylalanine-[¹⁴C] into anthocyanins of petals of Petunia hybrida is greater than that of cinnamic acid-[¹⁴C]. Moreover, there is a preferential incorporation of phenylalanine-[¹⁴C] into delphinidin 3-monoglucoside, as compared with the incorporation into cyanidin and peonidin 3-monoglucosides.     

In vitro auxin production by Balansia epichloë

Balansia epichloë, a systemic plant pathogen isolated from Sporobolus poiretii, was shown to produce the plant growth regulators 3-indole acetic acid, 3-indole ethanol, 3-indole acetamide and methyl-3-indole carboxylate when grown on a medium containing tryptophan. When grown on a tryptophan deficient medium 3-substituted indole derivatives were not detected. However, extracts of the medium in lower doses increased and in higher doses inhibited the growth of wheat coleoptiles.     

De novo synthesis and hormonal regulation of a dipeptidase in Cucurbita maxima

The following evidence was obtained for the de novo synthesis of dipeptidase in squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch. var. Hubbard) cotyledons during germination: (i) the amount of [¹⁴C]leucine incorporated into the dipeptidase was greater than that found in other proteins; (ii) the enzyme coincided with a peak of radioactivity in DEAE column chromatography; and (iii) the specific radioactivity of the enzyme increased with purification. There was also a positive correlation between the rate of [¹⁴C]leucine incorporation into dipeptidase and the rate of dipeptidase development. Four plant growth regulators, gibberellic acid (GA) benzyladenine (BA), indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), and abscisic acid (ABA) were examined for their effect on the development of dipeptidase activity at 5 × 10^?6 and 5 × 10^?5 M. None of these regulators affected the activity of the isolated dipeptidase per se. In intact see ds, BA and IAA inhibited the development of dipeptidase activity at the higher concentration, ABA reduced the activity at both concentrations; however, GA enhanced its development at the higher concentration. In distal-half cotyledons, BA and GA stimulated enzyme development but they showed no synergistic effect. IAA suppressed the development of enzyme activity at the higher concentration and ABA inhibited development at both levels.     

Biosynthesis of ticloidine in Physalis peruviana

The aerial parts and roots of Physalis peruviana (Cape Gooseberry) have been shown to contain tigloidine (3β-tigloyloxytropane) and 3α-tigloyloxytropane. The tiglic acid moiety of these alkaloids is derived from l-iSoleucine.     

Membrane permeability changes: A component of phytochrome-mediated anthocyanin synthesis in Sinapis alba

Dark synthesis of anthocyanin in Sinapis alba seedlings is greatly promoted by short treatments with n-propanol. The effect of n-propanol treatment is reversed by subsequent far-red light pulses. Photoreversibility kinetics suggest that n-propanol and red light act in the same way. However, phytochrome measurements and other control experiments suggest that n-propanol treatment does not lead to significant Pfr production, nor does it increase the effectiveness of any ‘dark’ Pfr present in the seedlings. The findings are difficult to explain in terms of Pfr as the sole effector of this phytochrome-mediated response.     

Triterpenes and neoflavonoids of Calophyllum lankaensis and Calophyllum thwaitesii

The petrol extracts of the leaves of Calophyllum lankaensis and C. thwaitesii yielded D:A-friedo-oleanan-3-one, 28-hydroxy-D:A-friedo-oleanan-3-one (canophyllol), 28-oxo-D:A-friedo-oleanan-3-one (canophyllal calozeylanic acid, thwaitesic acid, isothwaitesic acid and apetalactone. Thwaitesic acid and iso-thwaitesic acid are two novel neoflavonoids.     

Biosynthesis of (2E,4E,6E)-5-acetoxymethyltetradeca-2,4,6-trienoic acid in Eremophila oppositifolia

Evidence is presented indicating that the triple conjugated branched chain fatty acid from Eremophila oppositifolia R.Br. arises by the acetate-malonate pathway with the side chain carbon atom originating from the S-methyl group of methionine.     

Genetic control of chalcone synthase activity in flowers of Antirrhinum majus

Chalcone synthase activity was demonstrated in flower extracts of defined genotypes of Antirrhinum majus. Independent of the genetic state of the g     

Triterpenoids from enkianthus campanulatus

From the leaves of Enkianthus campanulatus were isolated three new triterpenes, 3-oxo-19,23,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β,6β, 19,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid and 3β,6β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid.     

Volatile constituents of Plus and minus strains of Blakeslea trispora

Identification of the predominant constituents produced by the plus and the minus strains of Blakeslea trispora is described. The occurrence of xylenes in the volatiles produced by the plus strain is reported. Additionally, production of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanal by the plus strain and dimethyl allyl alcohol by the minus strains were confirmed. Isoamyl alcohol, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanol and β-phenethyl alcohol were identified in volatiles from both strains.