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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #234135
Title: Analytiical Method for the Identification and Quantification of Pinitol Plant Roots by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Author
item CAMPBELL, JAMES - PACIFIC NW NATNL LAB
item GARLAND, SHAUN - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
item Donald, Patricia
item GOHEEN, STEVE - BATTELLE NORTHWEST

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/2008
Publication Date: 3/27/2009
Citation: Campbell, J.A., Garland, S., Donald, P.A., Goheen, S.C. 2009. Analytiical Method for the Identification and Quantification of Pinitol Plant Roots by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. American Chemical Society Abstracts. American Chemical Society Spring Meeting, March 22 - 26, 2009, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pinitol (D-3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol), is thought to have a variety of roles in plant biology. However, new applications of pinitol for potential medical use are currently being investigated, increasing the importance of finding and determining the pinitol content in plant sources. While plant tissue extraction and trimethylsilyl imidazole (TMSI) derivatization methods for the analysis pinitol are typically discussed in the literature, the extraction and analytical processes together with the mass spectra have not been reported in detail. We report a reliable method for the identification and quantification of pinitol using TMSI derivatization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Roots were homogenized in methanol, filtered, dried, and reconstituted in a known volume. Aliquots were then dried, derivatized with TMSI, diluted with toluene, and analyzed by GC/MS. The chromatogram and mass spectrum of TMSI-derivatized pinitol will be discussed.