Biosynthesis of (−)-ent-kaurenoic acid in Smallanthus sonchifolius and its effect against microbial biofilms

Abstract The biosynthetic pathway of (–)- ent -kaurenoic acid ( 1 ) was investigated by incorporation of 1- d - 13 C-glucose in Smallanthus sonchifolius (Asteraceae) plantlets. The 13 C-enrichment pattern indicated that methylerythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway is the biosynthetic pathway involved in diterpenoid biosynthesis. Our studies in S. sonchifolius reinforce that the biosynthesis of different classes of terpenes should not be compartmentalized into cytosol and plastids. Additionally, (–)- ent -kaurenoic acid showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm.