Biosynthesis of the terpenes maslinic acid and 3-epimaslinic acid in tissue cultures of Isodon japonicus hara
Abstract
3-Epimaslinic acid, an oleanane-type triterpene, was biosynthesized from maslinic acid via the 3-oxo-derivative; the mechanism involving cyclization of (3R)-2,3-oxidosqualene can be excluded in the biosynthesis of 3α-hydroxy-triterpenoids.