Enantioselectivity of the Bioconversion of Chiral Citronellal during the Inhibition of Wheat Seeds Germination. Issue 3 (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cavalieri, Andrea; Fischer, Ravit; Larkov, Olga; Dudai, Nativ
• Is Part Of: Chemistry & biodiversity. Volume 11:Issue 3(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 419
• Page End: 426
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biodiversity -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201300131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-1872

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Citronellal is one of the most prominent monoterpenes present in many essential oils. Low persistence of essential oils as bioherbicides has often been addressed because of the high volatility of these compounds. Bioconversion of citronellal by wheat seeds releases less aggressive and injurious compounds as demonstrated by their diminished germination. We demonstrated that optically pure citronellal enantiomers were reduced to optically pure citronellol enantiomers with retention of the configuration both in isolated wheat embryos and endosperms. Our findings reveal the potential of essential oils as allelopathic agents providing an insight into their mechanism of action and persistence.</p> </abstract>