Polyketides

This chapter discusses the condensation of acetyl-SCoA with malonyl-SCoA units that gives rise to numerous aromatic compounds, many of which have meta-disposition of hydroxyl groups. It mentions products of the polyketide pathway and its typical examples, such as 6-methylsalicyclicacid, antifungal compound griseofulvin, mycotoxins patulin, and ochratoxin. It also refers to products of moulds and other soil and airborne microorganisms. These are abundant in bacteria of the family actinomycetes. The chapter examines biomimetric synthesis. This uses a triketide that lead to the formuilation of a polyketide hypothesis, which envisaged the biosynthesis of polyphenols from polyketomethylene in intermediates. The chapter assesses structures of polyketide. We owe their diversity to carbonyl groups that may or may not be reduced during biosynthesis.