| Abstrakt: |
Seeds of 310 species within the four major genera, Millettia, Tephrosia, Derris, Lonchocarpusand 25 minor satellite genera of the Tephrosieae, were analysed both qualitatively and semiquantitatively for basic non-protein amino acids and amines. This survey revealed that a notable feature of the tribe is the accumulation in the seeds of unusual guanidino derivatives (including canavanine, enduracididine, 2-aminoimidazole, γ-hydroxyhomoarginine and tetrahydrolathyrine) and amines, several of which are not known outside this group. It is significant that none has yet been found in the tropical Sophoreae nor have they been found in the Dalbergiese excluding Lonchocarpinae. This gives credence to the view that Tephrosieae should be broadened to include Dalbergieae subtribe Lonchocarpinae. The results of this study show that there are chemically defined subgeneric groups within the large genera Millettia, Derrisand Lonchocarpus. Some of these chemically defined groups coincide with morphologically defined subgenera, while others do not. |
