Betaine distribution in the Bromeliaceae

Aerial parts of 38 taxa, distributed in 21 genera and all three subfamilies of the Bromeliaceae have been examined for the presence of betaines. Glycinebetaine and trigonelline were isolated from all the plants studied, although the yields of both compounds were low. For glycinebetaine, values (based upon dry weight) varied from 0.0004% for Pitcairnia corallina to 0.087% for Tillandsia usneoides. Trigonelline levels varied from 0.0003 to 0.022%; the highest yields were recorded for Billbergia rubicunda (0.022%) and Vriesia splendens (0.020%).