Distribution and biosynthesis of caffeine in plants

• Published in: Frontiers in bioscience Vol. 9; no. 1-3; pp. 1864 - 1876
• Main Authors: Ashihara, Hiroshi, Suzuki, Takeo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2004
• Subjects: Alkaloids - metabolism; Biotechnology; Cacao - chemistry; Cacao - metabolism; Caffeine - analysis; Caffeine - biosynthesis; Camellia - chemistry; Camellia - metabolism; Coffea - chemistry; Coffea - metabolism; Coffee - chemistry; Plants - chemistry; Plants - metabolism; Plants, Genetically Modified - metabolism; Ribonucleosides - metabolism; Tea - chemistry; Xanthines - analysis; Xanthines - metabolism

Methylxanthines and methyluric acids are secondary metabolites derived from purine nucleotides and are known collectively as purine alkaloids. The present review begins by summarizing the distribution of these compounds in the plant kingdom, and then provides an up-to-date account of the biosynthesi...