ACYL-CONJUGATED METABOLITES OF BRASSINOSTEROIDS IN CELL-SUSPENSION CULTURES OF ORNITHOPUS-SATIVUS

Exogenously applied 24-epi-brassinolide and 24-epi-castasterone were t ransformed by a cell suspension culture of Ornithopus sativus to give fatty acid conjugates of 3,24-bisepi-brassinolide and 3,24-bisepi-cast asterone, respectively, esterified at the 3 beta-position. The conjuga tes were identified by means of H-1 NMR and mass spectrometry. Lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid were the acyl components for bot h brassinosteroid conjugate types. Nonconjugated 3,24-bisepi-brassinol ide was also found for the first time in a plant system.