Simple method for large scale isolation of the cyclic arylhydroxamic acid DIMBOA from maize (Zea mays L.).

The 2-beta-O-D-glucoside of the cyclic arylhydroxamic acid 2, 4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (DIMBOA) that occurs in large amounts in young maize shoots (Zea mays L.) is converted enzymatically to its aglycone upon tissue damage. The aglycone DIMBOA possesses strong biologically activity toward various organisms whereas the glucoside is almost biologically inactive. A simple procedure yielding DIMBOA in gram quantities, from 7-day-old maize seedlings, was developed by using solid-phase extraction.