Biosynthesis and metabolism of ascorbic acid in plants and of analogs of ascorbic acid in fungi

Abstract

Despite the plethora of reviews on L-ascorbic acid, few stray beyond its established roles as an agent in redox-associated reactions or its biomedical importance. Here, an attempt is made to draw attention to L-ascorbic acid biosynthesis and metabolism in plants and to structurally similar compounds in fungi. During the decade since this subject was last addressed, a rational view of ascorbic acid biosynthesis has emerged, fresh evidence of a biosynthetic role for L-ascorbic acid in oxalic acid biosynthesis has been gained, and the biosynthetic and metabolic processes associated with ascorbic acid analogs in fungi have been explored.