Higher plants chemicals

Whittaker, R. N. "The Biochemical Ecology of Higher Plants. Chemical Ecology" Sondheimer E. Simeone, J. B., Eds. Academic Press New York, 1970 pp. 43-70. 

Cutin and suberin are lipid biopolymers of variable composition which are part of the protective outer coatings of all higher plants. Chemically, cutin and suberin are closely related polyesters composed of long-chain fatty and hydroxy fatty acid monomers. Both types of biopolymers represent labile, easily metabolizable terrigenous organic matter because they are sensitive to hydrolysis. After sedimentation, they have only a moderate preservation potential. 

In 1991, the relatively old and small synthetic fuel production faciHties at Sasol One began a transformation to a higher value chemical production facihty (38). This move came as a result of declining economics for synthetic fuel production from synthesis gas at this location. The new faciHties installed in this conversion will expand production of high value Arge waxes and paraffins to 123,000 t/yr in 1993. Also, a new faciHty for production of 240,00 t/yr of ammonia will be added. The complex will continue to produce ethylene and process feedstock from other Sasol plants to produce alcohols and higher phenols. 

Cellulose is the most abundant of naturally occurring organic compounds for, as the chief constituent of the eell walls of higher plants, it comprises at least one-third of the vegetable matter of the world. The cellulose eontent of such vegetable matter varies from plant to plant. For example, oven-dried cotton contains about 90% cellulose, while an average wood has about 50%. The balance is composed of lignin, polysaccharides other than cellulose and minor amounts of resins, proteins and mineral matter. In spite of its wide distribution in nature, cellulose for chemical purposes is derived commerically from only two sources, cotton linters and wood pulp. 

Cutinase is a hydrolytic enzyme that degrades cutin, the cuticular polymer of higher plants [4], Unlike the oflier lipolytic enzymes, such lipases and esterases, cutinase does not require interfacial activation for substrate binding and activity. Cutinases have been largely exploited for esterification and transesterification in chemical synthesis [5] and have also been applied in laundry or dishwashing detergent [6]. 

Carotenoids are also present in animal products such as eggs, lobsters, greyflsh, and various types of hsh. In higher plants, they occur in photosynthetic tissues and choloroplasts where their color is masked by that of the more predominant green chlorophyll. The best known are P-carotene and lycopene but others are also used as food colorants a-carotene, y-carotene, bixin, norbixin, capsanthin, lycopene, and P-apo-8 -carotenal, the ethyl ester of P-apo-8-carotenic acid. These are Upid-soluble compounds, but the chemical industry manufactures water-dispersible preparations by formulating coUoid suspensions by emulsifying the carotenoids or by dispersing them in appropriate colloids. ... 

Harbome, J.B., Distribution of anthocyanins in higher plants, in Chemical Plant Taxonomy, Swain, T., Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1963. 

The term allelopathy was coined by Molisch in 1937 Q). Presently, the term generally refers to the detrimental effects of higher plants of one species (the donor) on the germination, growth, or development of plants of another species (the recipient). Allelopathy can be separated from other mechanisms of plant interference because the detrimental effect is exerted through release of chemical inhibitors (allelochemicals) by the donor species. Microbes associated with the higher plants may also play a role in production or release of the inhibitors (2). 

Root exudates A wide variety of chemicals, such as sugars, amino acids, and aromatics, is excreted by roots of plants. Very little information is available on the allelopathic interaction of root exudates with the higher plants, except for the identification of a few products in isolated cases (46). 

Many herbicides and other chemicals have been reported to influence levels of various phenolic compounds in higher plants by unknown mechanisms. It is unlikely that more than a few of these compounds have a primary influence on secondary phenolic compound synthesis. For instance, in our survey of the effects of 17 herbicides on anthocyanin accumulation, only glyphosate appeared to directly influence accumulation (31). The effects of several compounds on secondary phenolic compound production for which the mechanism of influence is unknown are summarized in Table II. A much longer list could be derived from the literature. Unfortunately, many of these compounds are phytotoxic or are known to have effects other than on secondary aromatic compound production. In most cases the effects on these compounds correlate well with extractable PAL activity (31, 71, 72, 73, 74) (Figure 5), even though they do not directly affect the enzyme. 

Lung Cancer Etoposide (VP-16) -plant alkaloid, topoisomerase II inhibitor -bone marrow suppression -nausea and vomiting -mucocutaneous effects (mucositis, stomatitis)—increased at higher doses -chemical phlebitis common -hypotension with rapid administration -hypersensitivity reactions -secondary leukemia... 

Grant WF (1994) The present status of higher plant bioassays for the detection of environmental mutagens. Mutat Res 310 175-185 Grant WF, Owens ET (2001) Chromosome aberrations in Pisum for the study of environmental mutagens. Mutat Res 488 93-118 Kalweit S, Utesch D, von der Hude W, Madle S (1999) Chemically induced micronucleus formation in V79 cells-comparison of three different test approaches. Mutat Res 439 183-190... 

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