Topic summary
Phenylpropanoids
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Phenylpropanoid.
Sporopollenin
Phenylpropanoids and other phenolics are part of the chemical composition of sporopollenin. It is related to cutin and suberin. This ill-defined substance found in pollen is unusually resistant to degradation. Analyses have revealed a mixture of biopolymers, containing mainly hydroxylated fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, phenolics and traces of carotenoids. Tracer experiments have shown that phenylalanine is a major precursor, but other carbon sources also contribute. It is likely that sporopollenin is derived from several precursors that are chemically cross-linked to form a rigid structure.