A third unsaturated amino acid in groundnut plants: evidence for the occurrence of γ-amino-α-methylenebutyric acid

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A third unsaturated amino acid was isolated in small quantity from groundnut plants (Arachis hypogaea). Elementary analysis indicated the empirical formula C5H9O2N. Chromatographic and other evidence indicated that the new compound is probably identical with the product of enzymic decarboxylation of [gamma]-methylene-glutamic acid, [gamma]-amino-[alpha]-methylenebutyric acid (4-amino-2-methylene-butanoic acid). Extracts of the fruits of a Capsicum sp. (red pepper) and of barley roots possess high decarboxylase activity for the [alpha]-carboxyl group of [gamma]-methyleneglutamic acid.