Classification of Terpenoids according to the Methylerythritolphosphate or the Mevalonate Pathway with Natural 12C/13C Isotope Ratios: Dynamic Allocation of Resources in Induced Plants
We thank Dr. H. Bischoff (Bayer AG, Wuppertal) for cerivastatin and Steffen Rühlow for his committed technical assistance.
Graphical Abstract
Plants utilize two different pathways for the biosynthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate, the universal building block of all terpenes (see scheme). Application of compound-specific isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) to volatile terpenoids allows distinction between the pathways on the basis of natural 12C/13C ratios.