Abstract
The translocation of several plant sterols and a triterpene was studied in geranium and sunflower plants. Upward translocation of sitosterol-[ 14C] and β-amyrin-[ 14C] was shown within 48 hr to the upper parts of a geranium plant sectioned previously above the roots. Downward translocation of sitosterol-[ 14C] from the leaf of application was evident in intact plants after 48 hr. In addition to free sitosterol-[ 14C] considerable amounts of sitosteryl-[ 14C] glycoside and traces of sitosteryl-[ 14C] ester were found in most parts examined. Very slow downward translocation of cholesterol-[ 14C] but not of desmosterol-[ 14C], sitosteryl-[ 14C] palmitate or β-amyrin-[ 14C] was shown in geranium. In sunflower no downward translocation of cholesterol-[ 3H], sitosteryl-[ 3H] acetate or palmitate could be detected. In geranium, sitosteryl-[ 14C] glycoside translocated downward from the leaf of application to all other plant parts, except other leaves, and was found in these parts after 10 days as the unchanged glycoside, free sterol and steryl ester. The effect of drying the plant parts on the recovery of radioactive steroidal material is discussed. Traces of a water soluble, dialyzable form of sterol-[ 14C] were also detected in dried geranium roots after treatment with strong acid or alkali.
Published Version
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