Biosynthesis of Flavonoids

Abstract

Interest in the biosynthesis of flavonoids was first stimulated by studies on genetic aspects of flower colour (cf. Harborne, 1967; Hess, 1968) and by chemical speculations on the mode of formation of the carbon skeleton of this class of compounds (Birch and Donovan, 1953; Robinson, 1955); tracer studies were first applied to the problem around 1957. Investigations with intact plants or plant tissues led to a basic knowledge of the precursors required and to an understanding of some details of the biosynthesis of flavonoids. From this, a general picture of the interrelationships between various classes of these compounds has emerged. In the course of these tracer experiments, however, it became apparent that a more detailed knowledge of the nature and sequence of the individual biosynthetic steps and their regulation could only be gained by investigations of the enzymes involved.