Abstract
AbstractThe surface of plants is covered with a complex mixture of lipids, often in crystalline form, called plant waxes. The chemistry, biosynthesis, catabolism and function of plant waxes are reviewed. The most common components are hydrocarbons, wax esters, free fatty alcohols and acids. Ketones, secondary alcohols, diols, aldehydes, terpenes and flavones are also found. The major function of the wax appears to be protection of the organism from water loss and other hazards of the environment. The alkanes are formed from fatty acids either by elongation followed by decarboxylation or by head‐to‐head condensation between two biochemically dissimilar fatty acids followed by specific decarboxylation of one of them. Fatty acyl‐CoA is reduced to the aldehyde which in turn is reduced to the alcohol. The alcohol is then esterified with acyl moieties from acyl‐CoA or phospholipids. Plant waxes undergo very little catabolism in plants but animals can degrade them to a limited extent and microorganisms readily degrade them.
References
161
Referenced
223
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_2_1', 'first-page': '129', 'volume': '29', 'author': 'DeBary A.', 'year': '1871', 'journal-title': 'Botan. Z.'}
/ Botan. Z. by DeBary A. (1871)10.1104/pp.31.3.240
10.1016/0160-9327(59)90112-7
10.1038/1941196a0
10.1071/BI9640587
10.1111/j.1469-8137.1959.tb05328.x
10.1002/j.1537-2197.1954.tb14384.x
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_9_1', 'first-page': '413', 'volume': '367', 'author': 'Juniper B. E.', 'year': '1956', 'journal-title': 'J. Linn. Soc. (Botan.)'}
/ J. Linn. Soc. (Botan.) by Juniper B. E. (1956)10.1016/S0031-9422(00)82815-0
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88006-1
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85807-0
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_13_1', 'first-page': '1', 'volume': '16', 'author': 'Kariyone T.', 'year': '1962', 'journal-title': 'J. Pharm. Soc. Japan'}
/ J. Pharm. Soc. Japan by Kariyone T. (1962)10.1016/S0031-9422(00)82918-0
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86296-2
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86322-0
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86323-2
- Wollrab V. M.StreiblandF.Sorm Chem. Ind. (London)1967:1872–1873.
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_19_1', 'first-page': '526', 'volume': '49', 'author': 'Stoyanova‐Ivanova B.', 'year': '1967', 'journal-title': 'Riv. Ital. Essenze‐Profumi, Piante Offic., Aromi‐Saponi, Cosmet‐Aerosol'}
/ Riv. Ital. Essenze‐Profumi, Piante Offic., Aromi‐Saponi, Cosmet‐Aerosol by Stoyanova‐Ivanova B. (1967){'key': 'e_1_2_1_20_1', 'first-page': '321', 'volume': '14', 'author': 'Wollrab V.', 'year': '1964', 'journal-title': 'Riechstoffe Aromen, Koerperpflegemittel'}
/ Riechstoffe Aromen, Koerperpflegemittel by Wollrab V. (1964){'key': 'e_1_2_1_21_1', 'first-page': '291', 'volume': '158', 'author': 'Hemming F. W.', 'year': '1963', 'journal-title': 'Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser. B'}
/ Proc. Roy. Soc. Ser. B by Hemming F. W. (1963){'key': 'e_1_2_1_22_1', 'first-page': '181', 'volume': '12', 'author': 'Krolikowska M.', 'year': '1960', 'journal-title': 'Dissertationes Pharm.'}
/ Dissertationes Pharm. by Krolikowska M. (1960)10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86115-4
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_24_1', 'first-page': '28', 'volume': '286', 'author': 'Isaev Kh. I.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Nauchn. Tr., Tashkent. Gas. Univ.'}
/ Nauchn. Tr., Tashkent. Gas. Univ. by Isaev Kh. I. (1966){'key': 'e_1_2_1_25_1', 'first-page': '147', 'volume': '9', 'author': 'Sharma R. K.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Vijnana Parishad Anusandhan Patrika'}
/ Vijnana Parishad Anusandhan Patrika by Sharma R. K. (1966){'key': 'e_1_2_1_26_1', 'first-page': '36', 'volume': '16', 'author': 'Akperbekova B. A.', 'year': '1967', 'journal-title': 'Farmatsiya Sofia'}
/ Farmatsiya Sofia by Akperbekova B. A. (1967){'key': 'e_1_2_1_27_1', 'first-page': '253', 'volume': '50', 'author': 'Kurth E. F.', 'year': '1967', 'journal-title': 'Tappi'}
/ Tappi by Kurth E. F. (1967){'key': 'e_1_2_1_28_1', 'first-page': '245', 'volume': '46', 'author': 'Swan E. P.', 'year': '1963', 'journal-title': 'Tappi'}
/ Tappi by Swan E. P. (1963){'key': 'e_1_2_1_29_1', 'first-page': '865', 'volume': '62', 'author': 'Bescansa‐Lopez J. L.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Anales Real Soc. Espan Fis. Quim. Madrid Ser. B'}
/ Anales Real Soc. Espan Fis. Quim. Madrid Ser. B by Bescansa‐Lopez J. L. (1966){'key': 'e_1_2_1_30_1', 'first-page': '871', 'volume': '62', 'author': 'Bescansa‐Lopez J. L.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Anales Real Soc. Espan. Fis. Quim. Madrid Ser. B'}
/ Anales Real Soc. Espan. Fis. Quim. Madrid Ser. B by Bescansa‐Lopez J. L. (1966){'key': 'e_1_2_1_31_1', 'first-page': '399', 'volume': '2', 'author': 'Duhamel L.', 'year': '1965', 'journal-title': 'Bull. Soc. Chim. France'}
/ Bull. Soc. Chim. France by Duhamel L. (1965){'key': 'e_1_2_1_32_1', 'first-page': '64', 'volume': '6', 'author': 'Bell R. A.', 'year': '1963', 'journal-title': 'New Zealand J. Sci.'}
/ New Zealand J. Sci. by Bell R. A. (1963)10.1021/jo01064a066
10.1038/218892a0
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90770-2
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_36_1', 'first-page': '136', 'volume': '37', 'author': 'Vitaglino M.', 'year': '1960', 'journal-title': 'Olii Minerali, Grassi Saponi, Coloii Vernice'}
/ Olii Minerali, Grassi Saponi, Coloii Vernice by Vitaglino M. (1960)10.1021/bi00896a013
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_38_1', 'first-page': '417', 'volume': '48', 'author': 'Eisner J.', 'year': '1965', 'journal-title': 'J. Assoc. Offic. Agr. Chemists'}
/ J. Assoc. Offic. Agr. Chemists by Eisner J. (1965){'key': 'e_1_2_1_39_1', 'first-page': '335', 'volume': '12', 'author': 'Walberg M.', 'year': '1965', 'journal-title': 'Rev. Franc. Corps Gras'}
/ Rev. Franc. Corps Gras by Walberg M. (1965)10.1016/S0031-9422(00)82801-0
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)82189-5
10.1042/bj0780435
10.1042/bj0230168
10.1042/bj0252095
10.1042/bj0271885
10.1042/bj0282189
10.1042/bj0282175
10.1042/bj0282209
10.1042/bj0311981
10.1042/bj0580506
10.1042/bj0252072
10.1042/bj0252111
10.1042/bj0260403
10.1042/bj0271889
10.1126/science.156.3780.1322
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_56_1', 'first-page': '49', 'volume-title': '“Progress in Phytochemistry,”', 'author': 'Mazliak P.', 'year': '1968'}
/ “Progress in Phytochemistry,” by Mazliak P. (1968){'key': 'e_1_2_1_57_1', 'first-page': '437', 'volume': '70', 'author': 'Mazliak P.', 'year': '1963', 'journal-title': 'Rev. Gen. Botan.'}
/ Rev. Gen. Botan. by Mazliak P. (1963){'key': 'e_1_2_1_58_1', 'first-page': '35', 'volume': '4', 'author': 'Mazliak P.', 'year': '1963', 'journal-title': 'Annee Biol.'}
/ Annee Biol. by Mazliak P. (1963)10.1073/pnas.59.1.29
10.1126/science.161.3842.700
- Clark R. C. Jr. A. D. 641436.Avail. Clearing House for Federal Scientific and Technical Information 1966 59p.
10.1111/j.1529-8817.1967.tb04623.x
10.1128/jb.93.6.1811-1818.1967
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_64_1', 'first-page': '163', 'volume': '161', 'author': 'Winters K.', 'year': '1969', 'journal-title': 'Science'}
/ Science by Winters K. (1969)-
Han J. E. D.McCarthyandM.Calvin J. Chem. Soc.1968:2785–2791.
(
10.1039/j39680002785
) 10.1071/CH9610264
10.1038/1841131a0
10.1021/bi00903a037
10.1135/cccc19681584
10.1135/cccc19651654
10.1038/193739a0
10.1135/cccc19671304
- Wollrab V. Collection Czech. Chem. Commun. in press.
- Rusanivskyi W. R. L.StedmanandA. R.Swain Chem. Ind. (London)1960:838–839.
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85081-5
- Jarolimek P. V.Wollrab M.StreiblandF.Sorm Chem. Ind. (London)1964:237–238.
- Sorm F. V.Wollrab P.JarolimekandM.Streibl Chem. Ind. (London)1964:1833–1834.
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85672-1
10.1007/BF02139752
10.4319/lo.1967.12.1.0079
10.1002/jsfa.2740070307
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_82_1', 'first-page': '726', 'volume': '49', 'author': 'Stoyanova‐Ivanova B.', 'year': '1967', 'journal-title': 'Riv. Ital. Essenze‐Profumi Piante Offic. Aromi‐Saponi Cosmet‐Aerosol'}
/ Riv. Ital. Essenze‐Profumi Piante Offic. Aromi‐Saponi Cosmet‐Aerosol by Stoyanova‐Ivanova B. (1967)- Horn D. H. S. andJ. A.Lamberton Chem. Ind. London1962:2036–2037.
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85661-7
10.1071/CH9640464
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_86_1', 'first-page': '225', 'volume': '8', 'author': 'Tulloch A. P.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Chem. Commun.'}
/ Chem. Commun. by Tulloch A. P. (1966)10.1248/yakushi1947.79.1_47
10.1248/yakushi1947.79.1_51
10.1248/yakushi1947.79.1_54
10.1248/yakushi1947.79.1_58
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_91_1', 'first-page': '160', 'volume-title': 'Proceedings of the Symposium on Phytochemistry', 'author': 'Kariyone T.', 'year': '1957'}
/ Proceedings of the Symposium on Phytochemistry by Kariyone T. (1957)10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85410-2
10.1098/rspb.1963.0062
- Morrison R. I. andW.Bick Chem. Ind. (London)1966:596–597.
10.1038/217767a0
10.1071/CH9550424
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)88004-8
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85112-2
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_99_1', 'first-page': '151', 'volume': '15', 'author': 'Stoyanova‐Ivanova B.', 'year': '1962', 'journal-title': 'Compt. Rend. Acad. Bulgare Sci.'}
/ Compt. Rend. Acad. Bulgare Sci. by Stoyanova‐Ivanova B. (1962)10.1071/CH9600498
10.1071/CH9650911
10.1071/BI9651045
10.1071/CH9651059
- Lamberton J. A. andA. H.Redcliffe Chem. Ind. (London)1959:1627–1628.
10.1007/BF02154581
10.1071/BI9510526
10.1038/204080a0
10.1071/CH9660143
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_109_1', 'first-page': '25', 'volume': '222', 'author': 'Chaveron H.', 'year': '1966', 'journal-title': 'Choc. Confiserie Fr.'}
/ Choc. Confiserie Fr. by Chaveron H. (1966)- Morton R. A. Chem. Ind. (London)1968:1710–1717.
- Horn D. H. S. andJ. A.Lamberton Chem. Ind. (London)1963:691.
10.1071/CH9640692
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86272-X
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_114_1', 'first-page': '175', 'volume': '45', 'author': 'Ciusa W.', 'year': '1968', 'journal-title': 'Riv. Ital. Sostanze Grasse'}
/ Riv. Ital. Sostanze Grasse by Ciusa W. (1968)10.1002/cber.19600931013
- Mazliak P. 10th International Congress of Botany Edinburgh 1964 p.424.
10.1021/bi00885a023
10.1021/bi00871a015
10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86048-3
10.1104/pp.43.3.375
10.1104/pp.43.9.1466
10.1021/bi00859a021
10.1042/bj0230107
10.1016/S0022-2275(20)40189-0
10.1042/bj0970001C
10.1126/science.159.3814.498
10.1021/bi00843a041
10.1038/2191038a0
10.1128/jb.96.4.925-930.1968
10.1016/S0021-9258(18)96728-1
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_131_1', 'first-page': '25', 'volume-title': '“Cellular Compartmentalization and Control of Fatty Acid Metabolism,”', 'author': 'James A. T.', 'year': '1968'}
/ “Cellular Compartmentalization and Control of Fatty Acid Metabolism,” by James A. T. (1968)10.1104/pp.43.10.1637
10.1104/pp.41.3.422
10.1111/j.1365-2621.1966.tb01808.x
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_135_1', 'first-page': '323', 'volume-title': '“Plant Biochemistry,”', 'author': 'Stumpf P. K.', 'year': '1965'}
/ “Plant Biochemistry,” by Stumpf P. K. (1965)10.1038/1841563b0
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_137_1', 'volume-title': 'Ph.D. Thesis', 'author': 'Jezyk P. F.', 'year': '1966'}
/ Ph.D. Thesis by Jezyk P. F. (1966)10.1104/pp.43.9.1423
10.1016/S0021-9258(18)93265-5
10.1016/S0021-9258(19)81743-X
10.1021/bi00861a010
10.1016/S0022-2275(20)39245-2
10.1016/S0021-9258(18)70543-7
10.1016/S0021-9258(18)91319-0
10.1016/0005-2760(66)90124-X
10.1038/191095a0
10.1021/bi00905a042
10.1104/pp.44.2.315
10.1093/jn/90.2.167
10.3181/00379727-120-30581
10.1099/00221287-51-3-457
10.1099/00221287-56-2-151
10.1007/BF02641088
10.1016/0005-2760(65)90006-8
10.1002/j.1537-2197.1931.tb04947.x
10.1071/BI9661017
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_157_1', 'first-page': '353', 'volume': '266', 'author': 'Sivadjian T.', 'year': '1968', 'journal-title': 'C‐R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. D'}
/ C‐R. Acad. Sci. Paris Ser. D by Sivadjian T. (1968)10.1007/BF00380835
10.1146/annurev.py.02.090164.000501
10.1038/180231a0
{'key': 'e_1_2_1_161_1', 'first-page': '283', 'volume': '20', 'author': 'Crosby D. G.', 'year': '1959', 'journal-title': 'Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst.'}
/ Contrib. Boyce Thompson Inst. by Crosby D. G. (1959)10.3181/00379727-112-28034
Dates
Type | When |
---|---|
Created | 18 years, 9 months ago (Nov. 21, 2006, 5:39 a.m.) |
Deposited | 1 year, 10 months ago (Sept. 29, 2023, 1:52 a.m.) |
Indexed | 3 weeks, 6 days ago (July 25, 2025, 6:38 a.m.) |
Issued | 55 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 1970) |
Published | 55 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 1970) |
Published Online | 55 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 1970) |
Published Print | 55 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 1970) |