Structural identification of a major cytokinin in coconut milk as 14-O-(3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl]-4-O-(alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl)- beta-d-galactopyranosyl)-trans-zeatin riboside.

A cytokinin isolated from the fluid endosperm of Cocos mucifera L. (coconut milk), accounting for more than 20% of the total cytokinin activity, was structurally analyzed by NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and sugar analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The planar structure of the cytokinin was deduced from its NMR and mass spectrometric data. The structure of the sugar moiety, including its absolute structure, was determined by HPLC analysis of alditol acetates and aldononitrile acetates derived from the cytokinin. The configuration of the sugar-sugar bonds was determined by NMR, and the structure was finally identified as 14-O-(3-O-[-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-galactopyranosyl-(1--> 3)- alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl]-4-O-(alpha-L-arabino-furanosyl)-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-trans-zeatin riboside.