title: A specific arginase-based assay for L-canavanine in leguminous plants.
abstract: A convenient method for the analysis of free L-canavanine in leguminous plants is described. Canavanine was specifically hydrolyzed to canaline and urea by the enzyme arginase (EC 3.5.3.1). The resulting amino-oxy functions of canaline were measured based on their ability to bleach the yellow colour of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Canavanine in the seeds of Canavalia ensiformis was determined with this method.
mesh_terms: D001119:Arginase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002172:Canavanine / Q000032:analysis*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000032:analysis*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D002172:Canavanine; D001119:Arginase