Chemistry and biochemistry of apiose

This chapter discusses the chemistry and biochemistry of apiose. The chemical synthesis of D-apiose and some of its derivatives is defined in the chapter. Apiose is usually isolated as glycosides in which it is linked to compounds of low molecular weight. These include only derivatives of flavone, isoflavone, phenol, and anthraquinone. The large number of branched-chain sugars that have been isolated and the widespread occurrence of apiose led to speculation regarding the natural role of apiose-containing polysaccharides. The elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway of apiose was found on extensive, isotope-incorporation experiments in L.minor, L.gibba, and P.crispum. Biosynthetic reactions forming apiose can be divided into decarboxylative reactions, resulting in the biosynthesis of UDP-apiose, and transglycosylation reactions, resulting in the transfer of apiose from one compound to another.