Recent advances in molecular genetics of furanocoumarin synthesis in higher plants

Abstract

Furanocoumarins represent a subclass of polyphenolics which are principally found in four families of higher plants: Apiaceae (celery, parsnip, Ammi, parsley, etc.,), Fabaceae (Psoralea, Cullen, Bituminosa, Coronilla, etc.,), Rutaceae (Ruta, Citrus, Zanthoxylum, Fagara, etc.,), and Moraceae (Ficus) (Bourgaud et al. 1989). They are structurally characterized by the occurrence of a furan ring attached to the carbons 6 and 7 (i.e., linear furanocoumarins) or 7 and 8 (i.e., angular furanocoumarins) of a benzo-α-pyrone nucleus (Fig. 1).