Occurrence of cadaverine in hairy roots of Brugmansia candida

The polyamine, cadaverine, was detected in transformed root cultures of Brugmansia candida (syn. Datuira candida), a Solanaceae which produces the tropane alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the existence of this uncommon polyamine has been detected in a Datura species. Cadaverine, however, could not be found in the whole plant. The occurrence of cadaverine in hairy roots could be a consequence of either the transformation or a response to stress. Also, cadaverine could be participating in other secondary pathways rather than to the tropane alkaloids. The common polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine were also observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.