R. Self

Cyanidin 3-malonylglucoside in Cichorium intybus

Abstract The major anthocyanin of red leaves of Cichorium intybus has been identified as cyanidin 3-O-β-(6-O-malonyl)- d -glucopyranoside by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Growth-inhibitory volatile aromatic compounds produced by Solanum tuberosum tubers

Abstract Some of the aromatic compounds evolved by stored potato tubers have been identified by combined GLC-MS. Of the identified compounds, benzothiazole, 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene and 1,6-dimethylnaphthalene are comparatively potent inhibitors of sprout growth in the potato tuber. The growth suppressing activity of the two dimethylnaphthalenes is comparable with that of isopropyl-( N -3-chlorophenyl)-carbamate, which is used commercially in potato storage.

Malonated cyanidin 3-glucosides in Zea mays and other grasses

Re-examination of the anthocyanin pigments ofZea mays leaf showed the presence of cyanidin 3-(6″-malonyiglucoside) and cyanidin 3-dimalonylglucoside. The same two pigments are probably present in the seed coat. This represents the first complete identification of malonated anthocyanins in the Gramineae.

Ascorbalamic acid: An ascorbigen-like plant constituent yielding in hot acid 3-(2-furoyl)alanine

Abstract Ascorbalamic acid (C 9 H 13 NO 8 ) was isolated from Brassica olerocea L. MS study of various methylated derivatives suggested a structure (Ia) derivable by Cue5f8C coupling of C-3 of alanine with C-2 of ascorbic acid, followed by lactone → lactam rearrangement. Other derivatives provided supporting evidence, as did study of the reaction of L -3-chloroalanine with L -ascorbic acid in vitro . On treatment with hot 6 M HCl, ascorbalamic acid yielded L -aspartic acid and 3-(2-furoyl)alanine. For identification of the latter, DL -3-(2-furoyl)alanine and its N-2,4-dinitrophenyl and N-acetyl methyl ester derivatives were synthesized. Unlike ascorbigens, ascorbalamic acid is probably present in the living plant. It seemed to be present in all crucifers examined, but to have a capricious distribution in other orders. During permethylation, rearrangements of ester groups were observed, both with ascorbalamic acid and with pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid as a model.

The potential of fast atom bombardment for quantitative minor component analysis: Determination of α‐tomatine in tomato fruit

Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB‐MS) has been used for the quantitative determination of tomatine in tomato fruit. Levels of 7 ppm (green fruit) and ≤0.8 ppm (detection limit, red fruit) were found, in agreement with figures recently reported using a radiolabelling approach. The potential of FAB‐MS for the quantitative analysis of important food constituents is discussed.