Free amino acids and sugars in some food materials.

Free amino acids and sugars in some fruits,
vegetables, spices and coconut water have
been screened qualitatively by paper chromatography.
Methionine and tryptophan were not
found in any of these materials. Other amino
acids were found in varying degrees, including
some unusual ninhydrin reacting substances in
drumstick pulp. Varietal differences, as in the
citrus fruits, were reffected in the free amino
acid make-up and this finding, it is considered,
can be of practical consequence. Spices,
in common, showed a spot corresponding to
the Rf value of raffinose. Chromatographic
evidence supports the finding that sucrose is
not present in coconut water before a layer of
meat is formed.