BIOSYNTHESIS OF SESQUITERPENES IN POGOSTEMON CABLIN LEAF DISCS

Abstract

Label from glucose–U–¹⁴C and sucrose–U–¹⁴C was incorporated in O.14 % yield into leaf sesquiterpenes by isolated leaf discs of Pogostemon cablin Patchouli'). The sesquiterpenes were shown to be in a state of rapid metabolic flux. There was negligible incorporation from leucine–U–¹⁴C, acetate–2–¹⁴CNaHCO₃–¹⁴C andMVA–lactone–2–¹⁴C. It is concluded that the use of isolated leaf–discs is a simple and reproducible system for the study of essential oil biosynthesis.