FURTHER STUDIES ON ROLE OF CHALCONE AND FLAVANONE IN BIOSYNTHESIS OF FLAVONOIDS

Competitive feeding experiments using 4,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone[-carbonyl-14C] and (-)-7,4′-dihydroxyflavanone-[T] have been carried out with seeds of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and garbonzo bean (Cicer arietinum L.) and with cell-free extracts of garbanzo seedlings. T/14C ratios of the radioactive products 3,7,4′-trihydroxyflavanone (garbanzol), 7,4′-dihydroxyflavonol, 7,4′-dihydroxyflavone and 7-hydroxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone (formononetin) were determined at various times after feeding. Results obtained support the previous conclusion that chalcone is a more immediate precursor than flavanone for the biosynthesis of these flavonoids. © 1970.