156 THE PLANT BASES [ch. 



Choline is very Avidely distributed in plants. It is a constituent of the 

 phosphatide, lecithin, and is probably thereby a constituent of all living 

 cells. It has been found in seeds of the Bean (Vicia Faba), Pea (Pisum 

 sativum), Strophanthus, Oat (Aveiia sativa), Cotton (Gossypiuvi her- 

 baceum), Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Fenugreek {Trigonella Foenum- 

 graecum) and Hemp (Cannabis sativa): in seedlings of Lupins, Soy 

 beans, Barley and Wheat: in Potatoes and Dahlia tubers and in the 

 subterranean parts of Cabbage (Brassica napus). Artichoke (Helianthus 

 tuberosus), Scorzonera hispanica, Chicory (Cichoriiim Intybus), Celery 

 (Apium graveolens) and Carrot {Daucus Carota): aerial parts of Meadow 

 Sage {Salvia pratensis) and Betony (Betonica officinalis), and many 

 other tissues. It can only be isolated in very small quantity. 



Betaines. 



The betaines, as previously stated, are amino-acids in which the 

 nitrogen atom is completely methylated. Most betaines crystallize with 

 one molecule of water; thus betaine itself in this condition probably has 

 the following constitution, from which its relationship to glycine or 

 aminoacetic acid is indicated: 



OH 

 (CH3)3: N< H,N-CH,-COOH 



^CHoCOOH 



Betaine or hydroxytrimethyl- Aminoacetic acid 



aminoacetic acid 



When dried above 100° C, the betaines lose water and are represented 



as cyclic anhydrides; thus betaine becomes: 



/°\ 



(CHg), : N CO 



\ch/ 



The individual betaines, probably on account of their close connexion 

 with proteins, are more widely distributed than the individual alkaloids. 

 Further investigation may show an even more general distribution of 

 betaines. 



Betaine or trimethylglycine occurs in all species of Chenopodiaceae 

 so far examined including the sugar Beet {Beta vulgaris) from which it 

 derives its name; in some genera only of the Amarantaceae; in the "Tea 

 Plant" (Lyciuju barbarum): in seeds of Cotton {(rossypium herbaceum), 

 Sunflower {HeliantJius annuus) and Oat {Avena sativa): in tubers of 

 Artichoke {Helianthus tuberosus), shoots of Bamboo (Bambusa), leaves 

 of Tobacco {Nicotiana Tabacum) and in malt and wheat germs. 



