Nitrogenous compounds and nitrogen metabolism in the Liliaceae. 4. Isolation of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid and evidence for the occurrence of αγ-diaminobutyric acid in Polygonatum

Abstract

The amino acids in a 70% ethanol extract of 40 lb. of the rhizome of Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon''s seal) were fractionated on ion-exchange resin columns and by paper chromatography. Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (40 g) was isolated. Evidence was also obtained for the presence of aspartic acid and homoserine. Diaminobutyric acid was isolated in small amount as its dihydrochloride. This represents the 1st unequivocal isolation of this diamino acid from a higher plant material.