Poaceae, coumarins

Coumarins occur abundantly in various plant families, e.g. Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae, Poaceae, Rutaceae and Sola-naceae. However, the Apiaceae alt. Umbelliferae) and the Rutaceae are the two most important coumarin-producing plant families. 

Dicoumarol (= Dicumarol Dicumol Dicoumarin Dufalone Melitoxin) (coumarin) Melilotus sp. (Fabaceae), Anthoxanthum sp. (Poaceae) (from 4-Hydroxycoumarin in decomposing hay) Anticoagulant by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent protein glutamate carboxylation thence [3, 101- 103]... 

Coumarin (= 2H-1- Widespread e.g. Pinaceae, Poaceae Bitter [smell of new-... 

The simple coumarin nucleus (Fig 7.3), which is derived by lactone formation of an ortho-hydroxy-czs cinnamic acid, is a common metabolite in higher plants and is often found in glycosidic form. Coumarins are common in Api-aceae, in certain genera of Fabaceae (e.g. Dipteryx odorata, Melilotus officinalis), Poaceae (e.g. Anthoxanthum odoratum) and Rubiaceae (e.g. Galium odoratum). However, proliferation of coumarins to the status of major chemical markers occurs in only a few cases, most notably, but not exclusively, in the Api-aceae (subfamily Apioideae) and in the Rutaceae (Gray and Waterman, 1978 Murray et al., 1982). In these cases, the coumarin nucleus has almost invariably been embellished by the addition of a prenyl unit leading to furocoumarin (Fig 7.3) and pyranocoumarin structures. 

The distribution of coumarins is widespread. Originally isolated from tonka beans, they are abundant in particular plant families, for example Rubiaceae—Asperula Poaceae—Avena Fabaceae—Medic-ago, Melilotus Rutaceae—Ruta, Citrus spp., Murraya Apiaceae— Angelica, Ammi. 

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