12 new flavonoids discovered in Kew tree

Analysis and identification

Geoffrey Kite analysed an extract of the leaves of C. kentukea and found several of the flavonoids known from S. japonicum, but the overall mixture of flavonoids in C. kentukea was much more complicated, consisting of more than 50 compounds. Emily Rowe, a student from the University of Bath who was working at Kew for a year as part of her degree course, was given the task of trying to separate some of the flavonoids from the mixture so that their structures could be determined. She obtained 13 examples, whose structures were elucidated using a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) by Nigel Veitch, who realised that 12 of them were new to science. The structures of these compounds were reported recently in the scientific journal Phytochemistry.

With this knowledge, Geoffrey Kite was able to suggest probable structures for another 39 of the flavonoids in the leaf extract using a technique called liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Many of these are probably new to science as well, but it was not possible to prove this without first purifying them and determining their structures by NMR.

Cladrastis kentukea at Kew

Cladrastis kentukea is a medium-sized tree endemic to eastern North America. The hard, close-grained wood is clear yellow when first cut and was used by early American pioneers to make gunstocks and furniture. Although it is not common in the wild, the species is widely grown for its ornamental value. There are several specimens of C. kentukea growing at Kew together with two other Cladrastis species, C. sinensis and C. platycarpa. Most can be found in the ‘legume dell’ near to the Pavilion Restaurant. One specimen of C. sinensis is growing in the corner of the outside seating area of the restaurant, where visitors can enjoy a meal in the shade of a new scientific discovery, since this species also contains many of the new flavonoids.

More information: Kite, G. C., et al.(2011). Acylated flavonol tri- and tetraglycosides in the flavonoid metabolome of Cladrastis kentukea (Leguminosae). Phytochemistry 72: 372-384.

Provided by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew