Stoffwechsel aromatischer Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe I

The turnover of the isoflavones, formononetin and biochanin A, in Cicer arietinum L. and of the isoflavone, daidzein, and the coumestan, coumestrol, in Phaseolus aureus Roxb. has been determined by pulse labelling. The biological half-life of formononetin, daidzein and coumestrol has been found to be approximately 50 hours, while the turnover of biochanin A appeared to be very slow. The excretion of all four plant products through the roots into the medium has been measured. Approximately 3 percent of the total turnover of isoflavones in the plants can be accounted for by excretion into the medium. The results are discussed in view of the concept that secondary plant products may well be subject to further metabolism.