Isolation and identification of alectrol as (+)-orobanchyl acetate, a germination stimulant for root parasitic plants

Phytochemistry. 2008 Jan;69(2):427-31. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.07.017. Epub 2007 Sep 5.

Abstract

Alectrol, a germination stimulant for root parasitic plants, was purified from root exudates of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and identified as a strigolactone, (+)-orobanchyl acetate [(3aS,4S,8bS,E)-8,8-dimethyl-3-(((R)-4-methyl-5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yloxy)methylene)-2-oxo-3,3a,4,5,6,7,8,8b-octahydro-2H-indeno[1,2-b]furan-4-yl acetate], by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and ESI- and EI-MS spectrometry. Orobanchyl acetate afforded an [M-42](+) ion in EI-MS and thus had been recognized as an isomer of strigol. Orobanchyl acetate was detected in root exudates of soybean (Glycine max L.) and cowpea (Vigina unguiculata L.) along with orobanchol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Germination / drug effects*
  • Lactones / chemistry*
  • Lactones / isolation & purification*
  • Lactones / metabolism
  • Orobanche / drug effects*
  • Orobanche / growth & development*
  • Plant Roots / drug effects*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Lactones
  • alectrol
  • strigol