THE STUDY OF THE BIOTRANSFORMATION OF MONOTERPENIC MIXTURES BY IN VITRO CULTURES OF HIGHER PLANTS

This study is focused on the biotransformation of monoterpenic mixtures by in vitro cultures of higher plants. The biotransformation of monoterpenes is an area of special interest because oxygenated monoterpenes are often used as flavourings and fragrances, and their anticarcinogenic effects have been investigated. Most biotransformations are carried out by bacteria because of their rapid growth. On the other side, plants have a more complex range of enzymes which might lead to more valuable products. In this study, qualitative composition of biotransformation products of three different monoterpenic mixtures are identified and compared. The main products are myrtenol, trans-pinocarveol, trans-verbenol and verbenone. Their absolute quantitative yields are defined. This study also determines the dependance of the relative quantitative product yields on time (0-20 days), and the way this dependance alters with the changes of the initial concentration of monoterpenic mixtures (0,22 - 8,60 g/l). The enzymes which higher plants may use to transform monoterpenes are discussed. It seems most probable that monoterpenes are transformed by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzymes