Isolation and identification of indole-3-ethanol (tryptophol) from cucumber seedlings.

Crude ether extracts of green shoots of Cucumis sativus L. promoted the elongation of cucumber hypocotyl segments. Purification of the extract was accomplished by DEAE cellulose, silicic acid, and magnesium silicate chromatography followed by gel filtration and preparative thin layer chromatography. Identification of the growth promoter as indole-3-ethanol was achieved by mass spectrometry, thin layer and gas chromatography, and ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, as well as by physiological characteristics.