E. Arthur Bell

Secondary Plant Products

Secondary plant products , Secondary plant products , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی

Castanospermine in Alexa species

Abstract Castanospermine, a physiologically active polyhydroxylated indolizidine alkaloid first isolated from seeds of Castanospermum australe, has been isolated from the dried pod of Alexa leiopetala and tentatively identified in seven other species of the same genus.

2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine in fruits of angylocalyx boutiqueanus

Abstract A new pyrrolidine derivative,2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine, has been isolated from Angylocalyx boutiqueanus.

Identification of the 2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine (or 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-iminopentitol) from Angylocalyx Boutiqueanus and from Arachniodes Standishii as the (2R, 3R, 4S)-isomer by the synthesis of its enantiomer

Abstract The {=D}-xylo and {=L}-arabino isomers of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-iminopentitol have been synthesised from {=L}-arabinose, and the {=L}-arabino isomer was found to be the enantiomer of the alkaloid from Angylocalyx Boutiqueanus . The alkaloid from Arachniodes Standishii , recently reported to have the xylo configuration, was also shown to be the {=D}-arabino isomer.

Cycasin in the endangered butterfly Eumaeus atala florida

Abstract The strikingly beautiful aposematic hairstreak butterfly, Eumaeus atala florida , its pupa and brightly coloured, gregarious larva, all contain cycasin, the β-D-glucoside of methylazoxymethanol (MAM), which is also present in the food plant. It is suggested that the sequestration and storage of this toxin by the butterfly protects it from potential predators and that its various, highly specialized, warning attributes indicate a long association with the plant host.

Distribution and systematic significance of basic non-protein amino acids and amines in the Tephrosieae

Abstract Seeds of 310 species within the four major genera, Millettia, Tephrosia, Derris, Lonchocarpus and 25 minor satellite genera of the Tephrosieae, were analysed both qualitatively and semiquantitatively for basic non-protein amino acids and amines. This survey revealed that a notable feature of the tribe is the accumulation in the seeds of unusual guanidino derivatives (including canavanine, enduracididine, 2-aminoimidazole, γ-hydroxyhomoarginine and tetrahydrolathyrine) and amines, several of which are not known outside this group. It is significant that none has yet been found in the tropical Sophoreae nor have they been found in the Dalbergiese excluding Lonchocarpinae. This gives credence to the view that Tephrosieae should be broadened to include Dalbergieae subtribe Lonchocarpinae. The results of this study show that there are chemically defined subgeneric groups within the large genera Millettia, Derris and Lonchocarpus . Some of these chemically defined groups coincide with morphologically defined subgenera, while others do not.

Effects of the plant alkaloid castanospermine as an antimetabolite of storage pests

The secondary plant compound castanospermine is toxic to the larvae of the bruchid beetle Callosobruchus maculatus F and the flour beetle Tribolium confusum J. & V. when incorporated into the diet. The larval alimentary tract α‐D‐glucosidase and β‐D‐glucosidase activities of C. maculatus were strongly inhibited by castanospermine in a non‐competitive and competitive manner respectively. The larval alimentary tract β‐D‐glucosidase activity of T. confusum was strongly inhibited in a competitive manner, but the α‐D‐glucosidase activity was not markedly inhibited; however, the β‐D‐galactosidase activity exhibited strong un‐competitive inhibition.

2-amino-4-acetylaminobutyric acid, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and 2-amino-6N-oxalylureidopropionic acid (oxalylalbizziine) in seeds of acacia angustissima

Abstract A new amino acid previously detected in 17 species of Acacia has been isolated from seeds of Acacia angustissima and identified as oxalylalbizziine. These seeds also contain more than 6% dry weight of 2-amino-4-acetylaminobutyric acid, which has not been reported previously in a legume, and lower concentrations of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid.

Isolation and structure of an unusual cyclic amino alditol from a legume

1,5-Dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-mannitol, (1), has been isolated as an unusual constituent of Lonchocarpus sericeus and L. costaricensis; its relative conformation has been determined by 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy and its absolute configuration determined by the benzoate chirality method.

Glucosidase and trehalase inhibition by 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-mannitol, a cyclic amino alditol from Lonchocarpus sericeus

Abstract 1,5-Dideoxy-1,5-imino- D -mannitol, a cyclic amino alditol isolated from Lonchocarpus sericeus has been found to be a potent inhibitor of certain α- and β-glucosidases and insect-derived trehalase. In structure and biological activity it resembles nojirimycin (5-amino-5-deoxy- D -glucopyranose) and deoxynojirimycin (1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino- D -glucitol), two glucosidase inhibitors previously isolated from bacteria.