http://adr.coalliance.org/cogru/fez/eserv/cogru:162/BMBR_Basu.pdf
Plant terpenoids: applications and future potentials
Accepted 7 February, 2008
The importance of terpenes in both nature and human application is difficult to overstate. Basic
knowledge of terpene and isoprene biosynthesis and chemistry has accelerated the pace at which
scientists have come to understand many plant biochemical and metabolic processes. The abundance
and diversity of terpene compounds in nature can have ecosystem-wide influences. Although terpenes
have permeated human civilization since the Egyptians, terpene synthesis pathways are only now being
understood in great detail. The use of bioinformatics and molecular databases has largely contributed
to analyzing exactly how and when terpenes are synthesized. Additionally, terpene synthesis is
beginning to be understood in respect to the various stages of plant development. Much of this
knowledge has been contributed by the plant model,
agrobiotechnology.
Plant terpenoids: applications and future potentials
University of Northern Colorado, School of Biological Sciences, Greeley, Colorado, 80639, USA.
Accepted 7 February, 2008
The importance of terpenes in both nature and human application is difficult to overstate. Basic
knowledge of terpene and isoprene biosynthesis and chemistry has accelerated the pace at which
scientists have come to understand many plant biochemical and metabolic processes. The abundance
and diversity of terpene compounds in nature can have ecosystem-wide influences. Although terpenes
have permeated human civilization since the Egyptians, terpene synthesis pathways are only now being
understood in great detail. The use of bioinformatics and molecular databases has largely contributed
to analyzing exactly how and when terpenes are synthesized. Additionally, terpene synthesis is
beginning to be understood in respect to the various stages of plant development. Much of this
knowledge has been contributed by the plant model,
Arabidopsis thaliana. Considering the advances in
plant terpene knowledge and potential uses, it is conceivable that they may soon be used in
plant terpene knowledge and potential uses, it is conceivable that they may soon be used in
agrobiotechnology.
