The isolation of lombricine and its possible biological precursor

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A simple method of isolating 2-guanidinoethyl-2-amino-2-carboxyethyl hydrogen phosphate (lombricine) from natural sources has been described. The method results in good yields of analytically pure crystalline material. 2-Aminoethyl-2-amino-2-carboxyethylhydrogen phosphate has been detected in earthworm extracts and it is suggested that this compound is the biological precursor of lombricine. The precursor was identified by the preparation of a guanylated derivative, by degradative procedures and by comparison with the synthetic product.