Identification of δ-Valerobetaine and Other Betaines in the Ovary of a Shellfish Callista brevishiphonata

Abstract

Quaternary amines in the ovary of the shellfish Callista brevishiphonata were isolated by treatment on columns of ion-exchange resins and then by preparative paper chromatography. The presence of at least ten quaternary amines was recognized. Eight of these were identified by comparison with synthetic compounds by mass spectral analysis and by paper chromatography: Choline, glycine betaine, γ-butyrobetaine, δ-valerobetaine, stachydrine, valine betaine, homarine, and homoserine betaine.