Biosynthesis of cyanogenic glucosides in the lepidoptera. Incorporation of [U- 14C]-2-methylpropanealdoxime, 2S-[U- 14C]-nethylbutanealdoxime and d,l-[U- 14C]-N-hydroxyisoleucine into linamarin and lotaustralin by the larvae of Zygaena trifolli

Abstract

[U- 14C]-2-methylpropanealdoxime was incorporated into the cyanogenic glucoside linamarin (1-cyano-1-methylethyl-β- d-glucopyranosie) and d,l-[U- 14C]-N-hydroxyisoleucine and 2S-[U- 14C]-methylbutanealdoxime were incorporated into the cyanogenic glucoside lotaustralin (R-1-cyano-1- methylpropyl-β- d-glucopyranoside) after injection into the haemocoele of larvae of Zygaena trifolii. The incorporation rates of the aldoximes were 17–22% and of the N-hydroxyamino acid 4–5%. The results indicate that both aldoximes and N-hydroxyamino acids are intermediates in the biosynthesis of linamarin and lotaustralin by the larvae by Zygaena trifolii.