Abstract
Summary In Ilex aquifolium leaves separate sites and different rates were found for triterpenol and triterpene ester synthesis. The synthesis of triterpenols is mainly located in the upper epidermis. Accumulation of triterpenols starts with that of β-amyrin at a leaf age of around 3 weeks and is largely completed, with α-amyrin as major constituent, at the age of 15 weeks. A very active ester biosynthesis was found in both epidermis and mesophyll of 3-week-old leaves. In these leaves a large accumulation of esters of both α- and β-amyrin (ratio 2.8) had already occurred, indicating a very early start of ester biosynthesis. Triterpene ester synthesis is still present in 1 3/4-year-old leaves. In spite of the triterpenol synthesis in the upper epidermis, the triterpene ester pool seems to be a major source of the free triterpenols accumulating in the (chloroform-soluble) epicuticular wax.
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