TY - JOUR ID - 2101 TI - Histochemical analysis of phenylphenalenone-related compounds in Xiphidium caeruleum (Haemodoraceae) JO - Planta PY - 2003 SP - 881-889 AU - Opitz, S. AU - Schnitzler, J.-P. AU - Hause, B. AU - Schneider, B. AU - VL - 216 UR - DO - 10.1007/s00425-002-0941-z AB - Phenylphenalenones represent a typical group of secondary metabolites of the Haemodoraceae. Some of these phenolic compounds show organ-specific distribution within the plant. However, detailed information on cellular localisation is still lacking. To this end, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, microspectral photometry and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to study the tissue localisation of phenylphenalenone-type compounds in Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl. From the autofluorescence potential of these compounds, specific distribution of allophanylglucosides and non-glucosidic compounds of the phenylphenalenone-type in distinct cells of the roots (apical meristem, cortex, cap, epidermis) and the shoot system was revealed. Fluorescence enhancement using "Naturstoff reagent A" (NA) indicated the occurrence of NA-positive natural products in the vacuoles of leaf epidermal cells. The present results provide new insights into the possible functions of phenylphenalenone-related compounds in the context of their localisation. Additionally, the advantages and limitations of the techniques are discussed. A2 - C1 - Cell and Metabolic Biology ER -