The amino acid metabolism of a developing insect cuticle: the larval cuticle and puparium of Calliphora vomitoria . II. The non-specific hydroxylation of aromatic amino acids and the production of polyphenols by the cuticle

Abstract

The possibility that the larval cuticle of Calliphora vomitoria is capable of hydroxylating aromatic amino acids has been examined by incubation with phenylalanine and related amino acids. Hydroquinone and other dihydroxyphenols, and in addition trihydroxyphenols, have been recovered after incubation. The cuticle is also capable of forming hydroxylated products from tryptophan, making it clear that the process is non-specific.