Specific assay for homoserine and its lactone in Pisum sativum. Preparation of homoserine hydroxamic acid

Abstract

The existence of homoserine lactone in Pisum sativum seedlings is demonstrated. L-Homoserine lactone reacts with hydroxylamine, at neutral or alkaline pH, to form homoserine hydroxamic acid. Procedures are described for preparing L-homoserine lactone and L-homoserine hydroxamic acid. The hydroxamic acid yields a color with maximum absorbance at 492 nm with Fe 3+ in 0.25 N HCl. This reaction permitted assay for total homoserine and homoserine lactone. Six-day old Pisum sativum seedlings, with cotyledons removed, were extracted with 90% ethanol. Evaporation of the ethanol and addition of Na 2SO 4 solution and toluene and centrifugation removed protein lipids and esters. After clarification with activated charcoal, homoserine lactone content was estimated by reaction with NH 2OH and Fe 3+ reagents. For total homoserine, protein precipitation was with 2 N HCl and toluene. Evaporation to dryness at 60 °C under vacuum converted all homoserine to the lactone. The values found for total homoserine (μmols/g, wet weight) and preformed lactone (%) with the various growth media used were as follows: nitrate 87.4 (14.7%), NH 2OH 75.2 (6.3%), water 70.5 (7.9%), urea 56.4 (18.9%). Acetic anhydride added to homoserine hydroxamic acid forms acetohydroxamic acid, which yields a color with maximum absorbance at 505 nm with Fe 3+. This color reaction is seven times as sensitive as the reaction of Fe 3+ with homoserine hydroxamic acid itself.