Identification and quantification of catecholamines in potato plants (Solarium tuberosum) by GC-MS

Dopamine, norepinephrine, and normetanephrine were identified by GC-MS in p otato (Solarium tuberosum L.) plants, the latter was new for plants. The hi ghest amount of catecholamines was found in leaves. A developmental stage d ependent variation in potato leaf catecholamines accumulation was also obse rved with highest level in third leaves. Catecholamine contents decrease du ring cold storage of tubers to undetectable levels. Mechanical wounding of leaves led to a small increase in the level of catecholamines investigated. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.