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Biotransformation of menthol and geraniol by hairy root cultures of Anethum graveolens: effect on growth and volatile components

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Abstract

Two oxygen-containing monoterpene substrates, menthol or geraniol (25 mg l−1), were added to Anethum graveolens hairy root cultures to evaluate the influence of the biotransformation capacity on growth and production of volatile compounds. Growth was assessed by the dissimilation method and by fresh and dry weight measurement. The volatiles were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. The total constitutive volatile component was composed, in more than 50%, by falcarinol (17–52%), apiole (11–24%), palmitic acid (7–16%), linoleic acid (4–9%), myristicin (4-8%) and n-octanal (2-5%). Substrate addition had no negative influence on growth. The relative amount of menthol quickly decreased 48 h after addition, and the biotransformation product menthyl acetate was concomitantly formed. Likewise, the added geraniol quickly decreased over 48 h alongside with the production of the biotransformation products. The added geraniol was biotransformed in 10 new products, the alcohols linalool, α-terpineol and citronellol, the aldehydes neral and geranial, the esters citronellyl, neryl and geranyl acetates and linalool and nerol oxides.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Ciências de Lisboa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia, Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, Universidade de Lisboa, C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal

    Jorge M. S. Faria, Inês S. Nunes, A. Cristina Figueiredo, Luis G. Pedro, Helena Trindade & José G. Barroso

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  1. Jorge M. S. Faria
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  2. Inês S. Nunes
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  3. A. Cristina Figueiredo
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  4. Luis G. Pedro
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  5. Helena Trindade
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  6. José G. Barroso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Cristina Figueiredo.

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Faria, J.M.S., Nunes, I.S., Figueiredo, A.C. et al. Biotransformation of menthol and geraniol by hairy root cultures of Anethum graveolens: effect on growth and volatile components. Biotechnol Lett 31, 897–903 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-009-9934-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-009-9934-3

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