FORMATION OF p-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID FROM p-COUMARIC ACID BY CELL FREE EXTRACT OF LITHOSPERMUM ERYTHRORHIZON CELL CULTURES

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0031-9422(91)83620-Z

The enzymatic formation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid from p-coumaric acid has been detected in cell free extracts of Lithospermum erythrorhizon cell cultures.In the absence of NAD, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde is formed instead of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.The reaction is specific to p-coumaric acid.In addition, a p-hydroxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase activity is also found.The results suggest that the reaction mechanism is non-oxidative.Key Word Index - Lithospermum erythrorhizon; Boraginaceae; cell culture;biosynthesis; p-hydroxybenzoic acid; p-coumaric acid; p-hydroxybenzaldehyde; shikonin.