Sequential extraction of dehydrodiferulates shows heterogeneity in their degree of association withZea mays coleoptile cell walls

Abstract

Sequential extraction of Zea mays coleoptile cell walls with increasing concentration of potassium hydroxide (1 mM–4 M) rendered different cell wall fractions soluble: carbohydrate and phenolic analyses of each extracted fraction were performed. Ferulic acid was the main monomeric phenolic acid extracted from cell walls, while some p-coumaric and 8-8′, 8-5′, 8-O-4′ and 5-5′ dehydrodiferulic acids were also extracted, the 8-8′ dimer being the main one extracted by saponification from maize coleoptile cell walls. The different potassium hydroxide concentrations at which the various phenolic acids, both monomeric and dimeric, were extracted showed that they were associated with cell walls at different degrees. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.