title: Chirality and biosynthesis of lilac compounds in Actinidia arguta flowers.
abstract: Biosynthesis of lilac compounds in 'Hortgem Tahi' kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) flowers was investigated by treating inflorescences with d(5)-linalool. The incorporation of the deuterium label into 8-hydroxylinalool, 8-oxolinalool, the lilac aldehydes, alcohols, and alcohol epoxides was followed by GC-MS and enantioselective GC-MS. Both (R)- and (S)-linalool were produced naturally by the flowers, but 8-hydroxylinalool, 8-oxolinalool, and the lilac aldehydes and alcohols occurred predominantly as the (S) and 5'(S)-diastereoisomers, respectively. The enantioselective step in the biosynthesis of the lilac aldehydes and alcohols was concluded to be the oxidation of linalool to (S)-8-hydroxylinalool. In contrast, the lilac alcohol epoxides had a 5'(R):(S) ratio, the same as for linalool, which suggests that either these compounds are not synthesised from the 5'(S)-configured lilac aldehydes and alcohols, or that if indeed they are, then it is by an enantioselective step that favours utilisation of the 5'(R)-configured compounds.
authors.affiliation: The Horticultural and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd., Private Bag 11030, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. amatich@hortresearch.co.nz
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Matich
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bunn
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Comeskey
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Rowan
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000438:Alcohols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003903:Deuterium; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000438:Alcohols; D000447:Aldehydes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D003903:Deuterium; C018584:linalool