An analysis of amino acids in New Zealand species of Doodia (Blechnaceae)

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Abstract
Qualitative and quantitative amino acid analyses have been carried out, by two dimensional chromatography, on the soluble amino acids in fronds of Doodia media R. Br., D. caudata (Cav.) R. Br., and hybrids collected from three localities. Fronds of D. media var. milnei (Carr.) Baker from the Kermadec Islands and D. aspera R. Br. from Australia were also examined. To eliminate environmental effects, plants were grown in a glasshouse before fronds were taken for analysis. For comparison with amino acid data, frond lengths were also measured. Doodia caudata could be distinguished by a high concentration of an unusual amino acid and a high ratio of glutamine/glutamic acid. The unusual amino acid could not be detected in D. media fronds which had a low ratio of glutamine/ glutamic acid. Hybrids were approximately intermediate in these characters. The amino acid composition of D. aspera was closely similar to D. media and D. media var. milnei. These findings are discussed in relation to the usefulness of the method for classification of Doodia species.