Higher cardol homologs (5-alkylresorcinols) in rye seedlings

The occurrence of alkylresorcinols, polyketide compounds that in the same h omologous series as cardol isolated from Anacardium occidentale (cashew) or bilobol from Ginkgo biloba which are derivatives of 1,3-dihydroxy-5-alk(en )ylbenzene, have been demonstrated in developing rye (Secale cereale L.) ke rnels. The 3-day-old seedlings grown in sterile conditions already contain detectable amounts of phenolic compounds that were identified as alkylresor cinols. This fraction is the mixture of saturated and enoic homologs of var ious lengths of the aliphatic side chain. The composition of homologs is si milar to that determined in mature grains. The relatively high level of alk ylresorcinols in mitochondria and plastids (enhanced approximately twice in the absence of light) suggests that their synthetic pathway and/or biologi cal function may be related to these cellular compartments. Resorcinolic li pids, when present in the external medium, are taken up by seedlings in the energy-dependent manner. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.