Quantitative changes in some essential metabolites in the extracts of dyer's saffron florets before and after digestion by tobacco beetles

Monitoring of quantitative changes in free sugars, fatty acids, amino acids and related substances was carried out using extracts from dry florets of dyer's saffron (Carthamus tinctorius L., Compositae) before and after damag e by tobacco beetles (Lasioderma serricorne Fabr., Anobiidae). Of the sugar s, glucose content was most prominently reduced (1/101.6 as compared with n on-damaged florets). The decrease in the amounts of xylose and galactose wa s 1/11.5 and 1/4.4, respectively; while no fructose was detectable in the i nsect wastes. The quantities of fatty acids were affected by the insect inf estation resulting in the following ratios: 1/5.9 for linoleic acid and 1/4 .2 for behenic acid, respectively. Linolenic acid was taken up entirely by the insects. cis-11-Eicosenoic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid were increased in insect wastes (fold of non-damaged control: 42.3, 1. 8, 1.7 and 1.5, respectively). Changes in amino acids and related substance s were also noted after the florets of dyer's saffron had been devoured by tobacco beetles. L-Asparagine decreased the most (1/32.2) followed by L-ala nine (1/8.4), L-serine (1/6.9), L-methionine (1/5.9), L-valine (1/5.5), T-a minobutyric acid (1/5.4) and L-aspartic acid (1/5.4), respectively. L-Leuci ne, L-isoleucine, O-phosphoserine and ethanolamine contents were decreased too but to a far lesser extent (1/4.4, 1/4.4, 1/3.4, and 1/3.2, respectivel y). Hydroxy-L-proline, L-phenylalanine and L-ornithine were, on the other h and, increased in insect wastes (6.3, 4.7 and 3.0 times, respectively, as c ompared with those from non-damaged florets). The only substances detected in insect wastes were L-tyrosine, O-phosphoethanolamine, taurine, L-cystath ionine and L-arginine.