The origin of melezitose: a biochemical relationship between the lime tree (Tilia spp.) and an aphis (Eucallipterus tiliae L.)

Abstract

The sugars of +he leaves of certain trees (Tilia, Fraxinus, Larix) were examined by chromato-graphic methods, special attention being paid to the possible occurrence of melezitose and 4G -[alpha]-glucosylsucrose("maltosyl-fructoside": White and Maher, 1953). The honeydews produced by Eucallipterus tiliae, Eulecanium coryli and Psyllopsis fraxinicola were similarly examined. Although the honeydew of E. tiliae was found to contain about 40% of melezitose (cf. Maquenne, 1893), analyses of the Tilia leaves on which it feeds showed the presence of not more than 2.5 mg of melezitose/100 g fresh wt.; the leaves contained about 1000 times as much sucrose. Whole E. tiliae, when crushed in sucrose solution, brought about its hydrolysis and the concomitant formation of melezitose and 4G -a-glucosylsucrose. The origin of melezitose is discussed in relation to these and other findings.