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SYSTEMATIC OCCURRENCE OF STEROLS IN LATEX OF ARACEAE: SUBFAMILY COLOCASIOIDEAE
Author(s) -
Fox M. G.,
French J. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1988.tb12167.x
Subject(s) - biology , sterol , terpenoid , araceae , botany , subfamily , plant biochemistry , biochemistry , cholesterol , gene
Latex from representative New and Old World colocasioid species was analyzed by combined gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry for the presence of sterols. Free sterols were detected in latex of all New World species examined, and were localized in ca. 1 μm terpenoid particles which are abundant and account for the white‐opaque appearance of the latex. The sterol profiles were qualitatively and/or quantitatively distinct for each of the New World species examined. No free sterols were detected in latex of Old World genera examined, which are consistently clear to cloudy, and lack terpenoid particles. The presence of free sterols as small particles is typical of New World Colocasioideae with white latex. The results of this study provide chemical evidence for distinguishing Old and New World groups of Colocasioideae, which was recently proposed based on stem vasculature, pollen, and leaf type. This is the first report of sterol‐rich latex in a monocotyledon.