title: An improved method for quantitative analysis of total fructans in plant tissues.
abstract: Current methods for measuring fructan levels in plant tissues are time-consuming and costly. They often involve multiple or sequential extractions, enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of fructan polymers, and multiple HPLC runs to quantify fructan-derived hexoses. Here we describe a new method that requires a single extraction step, followed by selective precipitation of fructans by acetone, acid hydrolysis of the precipitate, and a short (10 min) HPLC run to complete the procedure. We used perennial ryegrass samples to show that the new method has similar sensitivity, but better reproducibility, than a more complex method that is widely used. We have used the new method to study developmentally related changes in fructan levels in glasshouse-grown perennial ryegrass plants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Industries, Biosciences Research Division, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Zhiqian
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Aidyn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mouradov
authors.forename: Kevin F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: German
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spangenberg
mesh_terms: D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005630:Fructans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008129:Lolium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005630:Fructans; D010936:Plant Extracts