L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine Accumulation in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Tissues during Different Growth Stages

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa)-rich faba (Vicia L.) tissues are a potentially useful source for its pharmaceutical purpose, although the species contains health curious vicine and convicine in seeds. We determined contents of L-dopa, vicine, different plants throughout entire growth period. The three compounds accumulated germinating sprouts showed high at 8 days germination, especially epicotyl containing 132.33 mg?g?1 DW 19.81 10.38 convicine, respectively. compared among leaves ages stages. samples could be ranked, from highest to lowest content, ranging 11.11 81.82 DW, as follows: new > young old leaves; vegetative flowering ripening. Vicine were not detected or flowers. L-dopa content was flowers, flower buds, 36.51 100.70 DW. In older tended decrease calyx petal parts developed. addition, decreasing pods, stems, roots with increasing plant age. results this study provide information on timing extent accumulation tissues, indicate that various by-products, new/young potential sources natural L-dopa.