title: Biotransformation of isoflavones by the larvae of the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura).
abstract: Biotransformation of the 5,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (1), 6,7,4'-trimethoxyisoflavone (2), and 7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (3) by insects, Spodoptera litura was investigated. Compound 1 was transformed to 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (4), 7-hydroxy-5,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (5) and 4'-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone (6) by S. litura. Compounds 2 and 3 were hardly metabolized by S. litura. This suggested that compound 1 was converted to compounds 4, 5 and 6 by demethylation at the C-5, C-7 and C-4' position, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kinki University, Kowakae, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyazawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008745:Methylation; D012015:Reference Standards; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D018411:Spodoptera / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones