ETHER-SOLUBLE INDOLES FROM SEEDLING ROOTS OF WHEAT.

Techniques are described for the extraction, chemical detection, separation and purification of acidic, ether-soluble Ehrlich reactive substances present in young seedling roots of wheat. The value of DEAE cellulose chromatography as a purification step is demonstrated. The presence of at least four Ehrlich reactors whose properties point to their being indole compounds can be demonstrated by paper and thin-layer chromatography. The reactors detected did not coincide in their properties with any of the twenty-six natural and synthetic indole compounds (these included indol-3yl-acetic acid and its nitrile, indole acetaldehyde and indole aldehyde) available as reference compounds. To test the value of the isolation procedures adopted one of the reactors was purified as far as possible. Its chromatographic and chromogenic properties, its ultraviolet (uv) spectrum, its behaviour on gas chromatography, its hydrolysis and its activity in an auxin bioassay are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]