Identification of endogenous gibberellins in strawberry, including the novel gibberellins GA(123), GA(124) and GA(125)

Extracts of carboxylic acids from immature fruits of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch, cv. Elsanta) were analysed for gibberellins by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The following previously characterised g ibberellins were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and Kovats retention indices (KRIs) with those of standards or published data: GA(1), GA(3), GA(5), GA(8), GA(12), GA(17), GA(19), GA(20), GA(29), GA(44), GA(48) , GA(49), GA(53), GA(77), GA(97), GA(111) and GA(112). Evidence for endogen ous 1-epi GA(61) (GA(119)) and 11 alpha -OH-GA(12) was also obtained. In ad dition, a number of putative GAs were detected. Of these, three were shown to be 12 alpha -hydroxy-GA(53), 12 alpha -hydroxy-GA(44), and 12 alpha -hyd roxy-GA(19) by comparison with authentic compounds prepared by rational syn thesis, and have been allocated the descriptors GA(123), GA(124) and GA(125 ), respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.