Selective Binding of Trans-Zeatin Present in Kappaphycus alvarezii Sap Using an Ionic Liquid

trans-Zeatin is the first cytokinin extracted from plant tissue and has been used extensively in physiology and biochemistry research of plant hormones, plant pro-toplast cultivation, cultivation of fused cells and breeding work, etc. This cytokinin is reported to be present in the liquid plant stimulant obtained by mechanically squeezing fresh Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed. In this study, it was observed that addition of an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [Bmim]BF₄, into the above plant stimulant gave instant formation of a white precipitate (KBF₄) due to ion-exchange between the imidazolium cation of the ionic liquid and potassium present in the plant stimulant. Characterizations of the precipitate employing various analytical tools confirmed presence of trans-zeatin in the precipitate.