The biosynthesis of canavanine from (14)CO 2 and its asymmetric labeling in isolated pericarp, tissue of Canavalia ensiformis.

Pericarp disks from the fruit of the jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) when exposed to (14)CO2 for 2 days carried out photosynthesis and the canavanine extracted from the tissue was labeled with the radioisotope. When beef liver arginase was allowed to react with this canavanine the products were homoserine, canaline, urea and an unknown compound. The activity ratio of C4:C1 compounds was close to 2:1. No label could be detected in the canavanine from leaves exposed in the same way to (14)CO2 and it was concluded that normally canavanine synthesis occurs in the pericarp chlorenchyma.