2-methoxy-6-pentyl-1,4-dihydroxybenzene (miconidin) from Primula obconica: a possible allergen?

Miconidin (2-methoxy-6-pentyl-1,4-dihydroxybenzene) and the allergen primin (2-methoxy-6-pentyl-1,4-benzoquinone) have been isolated from fresh unchopped plant material (leaves, stems and flowers together) of Primula obconica. Miconidin and primin were obtained in approximately equal amounts and their structures determined by NMR and GC-MS. Miconidin, which is biogenetically related to primin, has not previously been isolated from Primula species, and the possibility that miconidin is an allergen in P. obconica is discussed.