Galloyl depsides of tyrosine from young leaves of Inga laurina.

In addition to the free protein amino acid l-tyrosine, the expanding young leaves of Inga laurina accumulate high concentrations of three new depsides, galloyl, m-digalloyl, and m-trigalloyl l-tyrosine (1, 2, and 3). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic properties and through degradation and derivatization experiments. They occur in young leaves at the following dry-weight mass percentages: tyrosine, 10.4%; 1, 3.1%; 2, 5.0%; 3, 1.3%. These concentrations are most consistent with chemical defense during the vulnerable expansion stage of leaf development. Neither free tyrosine nor its galloyl depsides are present in mature leaves.