Acidolysis and hot water extraction provide new insights into the composition of the induced "lignin-like" material from squash fruit.
Accumulation of "lignin-like" material (L-LM) by plant tissues in response to injury or disease has been observed in a wide variety of plant taxa. The most intensively studied L-LM is that produced by members of the Cucurbitaceae; this material is thought to be an unusual lignin rich in p-coumaryl alcohol derived subunits. Employing acidolysis we found the primary degradation product of L-LM from squash fruit was p-coumaryl aldehyde. These findings conflict with the current concept of L-LM, but would be consistent with L-LM being a polymer derived directly from p-coumaryl aldehyde or a gum containing this compound. Results of hot water extraction support the latter possibility. Further, we report on a simple TLC method useful for rapid qualitative characterization of acidolysis degradation products.
Stange
R R
RR
USDA-ARS, Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 South Rock Road, FL 34945, Fort Pierce, USA. rstange@ushrl.ars.usda.gov
Ralph
J
J
Peng
J
J
Sims
J J
JJ
Midland
S L
SL
McDonald
R E
RE
D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000032:analysis; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014867:Water
D003373:Coumaric Acids; D014867:Water; D008031:Lignin