STUDIES OF THE KETO ACIDS OF WHEAT: I. BEHAVIOR DURING GROWTH

Abstract

A survey of the keto acids of wheat showed α-ketoglutaric, pyruvic, glyoxylic, hydroxypyruvic, α-ketoisocaproic, oxaloacetic, and a number of unidentified keto acids to be present. The behavior of α-ketoglutarate, pyruvate, and glyoxylate in germinating seedlings under different conditions in light and dark and in aging leaves and in starving excised leaves was studied. These keto acids appeared and reached a peak during the early stages of germination. Oxaloacetic acid was present only in trace amounts. An unidentified keto acid was found to accumulate in etiolated seedlings. The effect of a nitrogen atmosphere on keto acid levels and the incorporation of glucose-C¹⁴into pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, and oxaloacetate provided evidence for the operation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in seedlings.