Biochemistry Insights

Biotransformations of capsaicinoids such as capsaicin and 8-nordihydrocapsaicin and phenylpropanoids such as cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid have been investigated using cultured plant cells. Capsain and 8-nordihydrocapsaicin were converted into the corresponding glycosides which are three glycosides respectively using the cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus. In a time-course study under sterile conditions, the changes in amounts of their reaction products were determined. Furthermore phenypropanoid, such as cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid have been biotransformed using the cultured cells of the Eucalyptus perriniana, and then cinnamic acid was converted into two glycosides. In addition, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid were converted into four, four and three glycosides respectively. Then in time-course study under sterile conditions, the change in amounts of their reaction products were determined. Finally it was found that the cultured plant cells have the ability to glycosylate the phenolic group of capsacinoids and phenylpropanoids regioselectively.