Studies on amino acid metabolism in Lathyrus sativus Biosynthesis of homoserine and O-oxalylhomoserine

Examination of free amino acid pool in <i>Lathyrus sativus</i> showed a rapid increase of homoserine and O-oxalylhomoserine during germination. Isotopic experiments indicated that aspartic acid was an effective precursor of homoserine in <i>Lathyrus sativus</i> and suggested oxalic acid to be incorporated into O-oxalylhomiaserine as an intact moiety. Similar trends of amino acid metabolism of <i>Lathyrus sativus</i> and of <i>Pisum sativum</i> have been discussed.