Canavanine in the Leguminosae

Abstract

Canavanine has been detected in the seeds of 11 species of leguminous plants. The sensitivity of the method for the colorimetric determination of canavanine has been increased by using a spectrophotometer at 522 m[mu]. Canavanine stored in seeds of Medicago sativa is metabolized by the seedlings during germination and growth. The biosynthesis of canavanine by M. sativa and Trifolium pratense is not dependent upon the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root nodules of the plants.