Lipid-soluble terpenoids

Carotenoids are lipid-soluble terpenoids derived from the isoprenoid pathway and are located in hydrophobic areas of cells. All have a 40-carbon isoprene backbone with a variety of ring structures at one or both ends (Fig. 8.2) [25]. The carbon skeleton is derived from five-carbon isoprenoid groups and contains alternating conjugated double bonds. There are two kinds of carotenoids (Fig. 8.2) carotenes composed of carbon and hydrogen and xanthophylls composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. 

Plant resins are lipid-soluble mixtures of volatile and nonvolatile terpenoid and/or phenolic secondary compounds that are usually secreted in specialized structures located either internally or on the surface of the plant. Although terpenoid resins constitute the majority of the resins produced and used, some other important resins are phenolic. Phenolic resin components, which occur on the surfaces of plant organs, have been used particularly in medicines [86]. 

Lipids are naturally occurring organic molecules that have limited solubility in water and can be isolated from organisms by extraction with nonpolar organic solvents. Fats, oils, waxes, many vitamins and hormones, and most nonprotein cell-meznbrane components are examples. Note that this definition differs from the sort used for carbohydrates and proteins in that lipids are defined by a physical property (solubility) rather than by structure. Of the many kinds of lipids, we ll be concerned in this chapter only with a few triacvlglycerols, eicosanoids, terpenoids, and steroids. 

Lipids have been dehned on the basis of their stmctnre and solnbility. Lipids are natnrally occnrring componnds consisting of fatty acids and their derivatives, bile acids, pigments, vitamins, and steroids, as well as terpenoids, which are usually soluble in organic solvents such as benzene, chloroform, ether, and alcohol, etc., with variable solubility depending on the stmctnre of the lipid compound. 

Lipids is a broad term that includes all oil-soluble, water-insoluble organic substances such as fats, waxes, fatty acids, sterols, pigments and terpenoids synthesized by contemporary biota. 

Lipid (Section 23.1) A substance of biological origin that is soluble in nonpolar solvents. Lipids include fatty acids, triacylglycerols (fats and oils), steroids, prostaglandins, terpenes and terpenoids,... 

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