Diamines, guanidinoamines, and their hydroxy derivatives in seeds and seedlings of leguminous plants

Two unusual amines corresponding to γ(3)-hydroxyagmatine and 2-hydroxyputrescine were detected in the mature seeds of vetch Vicia sativa, pea Pisum sativum, wisteria Wisteria floribunda, and red clover Trifolium pratense. These two amines were resistant to both acid hydrolysis and reduction with palladium – barium sulfate but were cleaved by periodate oxidation. The latter amine assigned as 2-hydroxyputrescine was produced by alkaline hydrolysis of the former amine, γ-hydroxyagmatine. This was metabolized by agmatine oxidase. Putrescine, cadaverine, and (or) agmatine levels increased, but the levels of the two hydroxyamines as well as methylagmatine remained unchanged during germination of 23 leguminous seeds. Key words: legume, seed, polyamine, hydroxy agmatine, hydroxyputrescine.