[S-Methylmethionine content in plant and animal tissues and stability during storage]

The content of S-methylmethionine SMM in the extracts of 53 plant and 13 animal products by means of ion exchange clean-up procedure followed by two dimensional thin layer chromatography has been investigated. It was found that the richest plant SMM sources (in mg/100 g) are cabbage (53-104), kohlrabi (81-110), turnip (51-72), tomatoes (45-83), celery (38-78), leeks (66-75), garlic-leafs (44-64), beet (22-37), raspberries (27) and strawberries (14-25). The animal products are poor in SMM. The control of the plants rich in SMM during a storage for 6 months (autumn, winter) in the soil showed average decreases as follows: celery 38%, kohlrabi 39%, turnip 43%, and leeks 32%. A storage of cabbage with uncontrolled temperature resulted in a decrease of 62%, in a storehouse (0-1 degrees C) of 34% SMM.