Medicarpin and maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate conjugates are constitutive compounds in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cell cultures.

The pterocarpan phytoalexin conjugates medicarpin 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate and maackiain 3-O-glucoside-6'-O-malonate were isolated from cell suspension cultures of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivar ILC 3279 and structurally elucidated. Both pterocarpan conjugates are constitutive metabolites of the chickpea cell cultures. Upon application of an elicitor from yeast to the cell cultures a substantial increase in the level of the phytoalexin aglycones medicarpin and maackiain was observed although a delayed but significantly higher rise of the conjugates also occurred. The significance of the pterocarpan conjugates for phytoalexin production is discussed.