Biosynthesis of flavonoids

Abstract

SEVERAL workers have shown that lignin and the "B ring" of flavonoids are formed in vivo from shikimic acid and certain C6C 3 compounds. The latter compounds are frequently encountered in plant tissues1. The "A ring" of flavonoids appears to arise from acetate units2. However, the occurrence of the free "A ring" or simple derivatives of it have rarely been reported. We have found that on acid treatment kinos yield phloroglucinol, but bark and wood polyphenols do not. © 1960 Nature Publishing Group.