Agronomy and Horticulture, Department of
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications
Accessibility Remediation
If you are unable to use this item in its current form due to accessibility barriers, you may request remediation through our remediation request form.
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
1966
Abstract
In sweetclover (Melilotus alba Desr.) the cis- and trans-isomers of o-hydroxycinnamic acid occur primarily as the respective, β-D-glucosides. Available evidence indicates that these glucosides are formed via the following pathway: phenylalanine (formed from shikimic acid) → trans-cinnamic acid → o-coumaric acid (trans-o-hydroxycinnamic acid) → o-coumaryl glucoside (trans-β-D-glucosyl-o-hydroxycinnamic acid) → coumarinyl glucoside (cis-β-D-glucosyl-o-hydroxycinnamic acid). In tissues that are disrupted, coumarinyl glucoside is rapidly hydrolyzed by the action of endogenous β-glucosidase to yield coumarinic acid, which lactonizes spontaneously to form coumarin. The cu gene influences the content of the glucosides, apparently by controlling the o-hydroxylation of cinnamic acid, while the b gene is associated with loss of β-glucosidase activity.
Comments
Published in the Proceedings of the 10th International Grassland Congress (1966): 704-707. Copyright 1966, International Grassland Society. Used by permission.