Biochemistry of the Ustilaginales: Vi: The Acyl Groups of Ustilagic Acid

A partition chromatographic technique was established for the estimation of the acetic, n-caproic, L-β-hydroxy-n-caproic, and L-β-hydroxy-n-caprylic acids which are liberated on the hydrolysis of ustilagic acid. The free carboxyl group of ustilagic acid was shown to be derived from the ustilic acid residue. Since fractional precipitation of ustilagic acid did not alter the original composition, it was concluded that ustilagic acid consists of 65–70% of a monoacetyl-mono-L-β-hydroxy-n-caproylglucoustilic acid and 25–30% of a monoacetyl-mono-L-β-hydroxy-n-caprylylglucoustilic acid.