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Updated: May 7, 2026

Biosynthesis of a Flavonol from a Flavanone by Establishing a One-pot Bienzymatic Cascade
Published on: August 14, 2019
Harvestman phenols and benzoquinones: characterisation and biosynthetic pathway
Daniele F O Rocha1, Felipe C Wouters, Dávila S Zampieri
1Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, C.P. 6154, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brasil.
Abstract:
Benzoquinones are usually present in arthropod defence exudates. Here, we describe the chemical profiles of 12 harvestman species belonging to the neotropical family Gonyleptidae. Nine of the studied species produced benzoquinones, while three produced alkyl phenols. Two benzoquinones and one phenol exhibited biological activity against bacteria and fungi. We also studied the biosynthesis of 2-ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone by feeding Magnispina neptunus individuals with ¹³C-labelled precursors; the benzoquinones were biosynthesised through a polyketide pathway using acetate and propionate building blocks.
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