p-hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes in lignifying plant cell walls

Abstract

The incorporation of p-hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes 5-6 into the β-O-4 fraction of lignins was studied by thioacidolysis in twelve differentially evolved land plant species, including lycopods and ferns. The results showed that compounds 5-6 may be detected in all studied species, as could be predicted from the reversible nature of the p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) catalyzed reaction. The results also showed that the p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohol/phydroxycinnamyl aldehyde ratio has been conserved during land plant evolution. ©ARKAT.