N-methylated tryptamine derivatives in citrus genus plants: identification of N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine in bergamot

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Sep 19;60(37):9512-8. doi: 10.1021/jf302767e. Epub 2012 Sep 7.

Abstract

The occurrence of N-methylated tryptamine derivatives in bergamot plant (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit) is reported for the first time. Interestingly, the most abundant of these substances is N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine, which has not been previously identified in any citrus plant. The N-methylated tryptamine derivatives were identified and quantitated in leaves, peel, juice, and seeds by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. N,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine was confirmed by MS(3) and comparison with the synthesized authentic standard. In addition, the study of the distribution of tryptophan, tryptamine, N-methyltryptamine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine indicated that these compounds are differently expressed in the various tissues of the bergamot plant. Intriguingly, chemically synthesized N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine was reported to possess nicotine-like activity being a stimulant of parasympathetic ganglia by exerting its action on acetylcholine receptors. On this basis, the identification of N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine at a relatively high level in leaves suggests a possible role in a physiological mechanism of plant defense.

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Citrus / chemistry*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Tryptamines / analysis*
  • Tryptamines / chemistry

Substances

  • N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine
  • Tryptamines
  • N-methyltryptamine