Biosynthesis of some phenolic acids and lactones in higher plants using carbon-14.

Abstract

One characteristic feature of higher plants is their ability to synthesize phenolic compounds in great variety and quantity. Lignin, which constitutes 20-30 % of the dry weight of plants, is formed of phenolic polymers. Phenolic compounds appear to be metabolically inert substances and are considered to be stable and characteristic end products in living plant tissues. No general function can be ascribed to these compounds and no explanation bas been given to their extraordinary diversity. This is possibly one of the reasons why little attention has been given to them by plant physiologists and biochemists in the past