Distribution of thiophene derivatives in different organs of Tagetes patula seedlings grown under various conditions.

An intensive accumulation of thiophene derivatives occurs during the first days of development in Tagetes seedlings. After that, the thiophene content (related to dry weight) decreases to reach low values until the twelfth day of growth. High performance liquid chromatography analyses performed on cotyledons, on hypocotyls, and on roots of normal-grown and of partly-etiolated seedlings showed that bithienylbutinen, the major compound in hypocotyls and roots, is accumulated earlier than the other thiophene derivatives. The synthesis of acetoxybutinylbithiophene seems to be light-induced. This compound is not found in cotyledons. Hydroxybutinylbithiophene is synthesized specifically in the roots, α-terthiophene in cotyledons. The results obtained indicate a high intensity of thiophene metabolism in these particular organs during seedling development.