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HERO ID
4303179
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Biosynthesis of essential oils in aromatic plants: A review
Author(s)
Rehman, R; Hanif, MA; Mushtaq, Z; Al-Sadi, AM
Year
2016
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Food Reviews International
ISSN:
8755-9129
Volume
32
Issue
2
Page Numbers
117-160
DOI
10.1080/87559129.2015.1057841
Web of Science Id
WOS:000369766700001
Abstract
In aromatic plants species, biosynthesis of essential oils occurs through two complex natural biochemical pathways involving different enzymatic reactions. Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) are the universal precursors of essential oil biosynthesis and are produced by the cytosolic enzymatic MVA (mevalonic acid) pathway or by plastidic and enzymatic 1-deoxy-d-xylolose-5-phosphate (DXP) pathway, also called the 2-C-methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. In the particular plant cell part, prenyl diphosphate synthases condense isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) further to form prenyl diphosphates, which are used as substrates for geranyl diphosphate (GPP; C-10) or for fernesyl diphosphate (FPP; C-15). Essential oils are final terpenoid products and are formed by a huge group of enzymes known as terpene synthases (TPS). Essential oils are important secondary metabolites of plants and have been used not only in different industries but also in ethnobotanical medicines for centuries. Hence, considerable research has been undertaken to understand the essential oil biosynthetic pathways. This review will be a valuable source of information in the field of natural products, as we give detailed insights about biosynthesis of essential oils in plants and thus indicate also new unexplored horizons for further research.
Keywords
Aromatic plants; biochemical pathways; biosynthesis; essential oils; natural products
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