Utilization of exogenously supplied primary precursors for essential oil synthesis in cymbopogon species

Abstract

The relative efficiency of incorporation of the exogenously supplied primary precursors [2-14C]acetate, [U-14C]glucose and [U-14C]sucrose into essential oil was determined in the immature leaves of three Cymbopogon species (C. martinii, C. winterianus and C. flexuosus). Acetate was most efficiently incorporated into essential oil in C. winterianus and C. flexuosus, whereas glucose was the best precursor in C. martinii. The observations are consistent when expressed as radioactivity [Bq] of essential oil per leaf, as percent incorporation or moles of precursors utilized for essential oil synthesis. Thus, there is selectivity in the efficiency of precursor utilization for the oil synthesis in Cymbopogon species. © 1993 Institute of Experimental Botany.