Isolation and structure of a novel pyridine derivative from the Algerian newt, Pleurodeles waltlii

Since its discovery more than 20 years ago the structure of a strongly fluorescent compound called "pleurodeles blue" has remained unknown. Isolation of this pigment has been carried out by successive column chromatographies including epichlorohydrin-triethanolamine-Sephadex and phospho-Sephadex. The structural elucidation of a novel pyridone N-glycoside, 1-beta-D-glucopyranosylpyrid-2(1H)-one-6-acetic acid, is based on a detailed study of its high-resolution mass spectra, 1H and 13C-NMR spectra and its hydrolysis to yield D-glucose.