Compounds with a Mixed Biogenesis

Abstract

Aromatic compounds in plants are generally biosynthesised by one of three main routes — the acetate-malonate, acetate-mevalonate or shikimic acid pathways. These pathways have been described in Chapters 4, 5 and 6, respectively. A number of aromatic compounds, however, have a mixed biogenesis, such that they are derived from products of two or more of the main pathways. Such compounds include the flavonoids, xanthones and stilbenes, whose biosynthesis involves both the shikimic acid and acetate-malonate pathways, while many plant quinones are products of the shikimic acid and acetate-mevalonate pathways.