Diterpenes

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 18.04.2024

Synonym(s)

Formally, diterpenes are composed of 4 isoprene residues; terpenes containing 20 C atoms, which are usually present as highly viscous oils or solid substances; which are hardly volatile with water vapours.

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Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

The majority of diterpenes have polycyclic structures and are present as acids or substituted alcohols. One (acyclic) aliphatic representative of the acyclic diterpenes is the alcohol phytol. Phytol has physiological significance as an ester component of chlorophyll and as a component of vitamin K.

TablesThis section has been translated automatically.

Diterpenes (cyclic diterpenes and their meaning)
Meaning	Examples (occurrences)
Bitter substance	Carnosol (in Salvia officinalis)
Chromophore	Retinal (visual purple)
resin acid	Abietic acid (resins, colophony)
Hormones	Gibellerine (plants)
Vitamins	Vitamin A (egg yolk, cod liver oil)

Authors

Last updated on: 18.04.2024

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles