Coniferin Coniferyl alcohol

The second type of data is derived from biochemical experiments related to the three cinnamyl alcohols—/>-coumaryl alcohol (I), coniferyl alcohol (II), and sinapyl alcohol (III) and their phenolic glucosides— >-glucocoumaryl alcohol (IV), coniferin (V), and syringin (VI). These and the following formulas do not differentiate between cis and trans isomers. 

The role of coniferyl alcohol as the immediate precursor of softwood lignin has been demonstrated by using 14C labeling. Administration of labeled coniferyl alcohol as /3-glucoside (coniferin) to seedlings of spruce results in the exclusive formation of radioactive lignin. 

Coniferin (= Abietin Coniferoside Coniferyl alcohol 4-0-glucoside Laricin) (phenylpropanoid glycoside)... 

R1 =H R2 = OCRs Feruloyl-CoA Coniferaldehyde Coniferyl alcohol Coniferyl alcohol 4-O-p-glucoside (Coniferin)... 

Coniferin (the (3-D-glucoside of coniferyl alcohol) is accumulated prior to lignin formation as well as in lignan-s)mthesizing cell cultures (e.g. Berlin et al, 1986 Van Uden et al., 1991 Smollny et al, 1998). Coniferin and lignan contents were found to be inversely correlated in cell cultures. However, there is no direct proof for a transformation of stored coniferin to lignans. Feeding of coniferin resulted in an enhanced podophyllotoxin accumulation in cell cultures of Podophyllum hexandrum (Van Uden et al, 1990). 

Coniferin (20) is one of the most abundant lignan glycosides occurring mostly in coniferous trees and some other plants. It is the dominant transport and storage form of coniferyl alcohol, which in turn constitutes the main building block of lignins. 

From coniferin by hydrolysis with emulsin. From ferula aldehyde (coniferyl aldehyde) by the action of fermenting yeast Small amounts of coniferyl alcohol are found in brandy from beet molasses. 

D-glucopyranoside of (E)-coniferyl alcohol, known as coniferin, replace the corresponding structural units 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 with an... 

Figure 5.8. Probable mode of formation of coniferyl alcohol and coniferin...

Lignin is a highly polymeric compound. Its structure is not known exactly. It arises from coniferyl alcohol, which has been isolated from wood in its glycosidic form, coniferin. By dehydration and polymerization, coniferyl alcohol is converted to a multiply cross-linked structure. The accompanying figure shows a segment of the molecule with several typical cross links. The molecular weight lies around 10,000. 

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