Untersuchungen zur Biosynthese des Salicylsäuremethylesters in Gaultheria procumbeus L

Abstract

Acetate-[1-¹⁴C] and cinnamic acid-[3-¹⁴C] were administered to young leaves of Gaultheria procumbens L. The methylsalicylate isolated from the essential oil was radioactive only with cinnamic acid-[3-¹⁴C] as the precursor. Decarboxylation of the salicylic acid showed that the total radioactivity was located in the carboxyl group. Salicylic acid must therefore be regarded as a metabolite of cinnamic acid.