Cultured roots of Xiphidium caeruleum: Phenylphenalenones and their biosynthetic and extractant-dependent conversion

Phytochemical investigation of root cultures of Xiphidium caeruleum (Haemodoraceae) resulted in the structure elucidation of five previously undescribed phenylphenalenone-type compounds, structure revision of a phenylphenalenone glucoside, and identification of nine additional constituents previously reported from other Haemodoraceae and Musaceae plants. The observed extractant-dependent metabolic profiles indicated that phenylphenalenones had been converted hydrolytically and oxidatively. Stable isotope labeling experiments extended the understanding of the phenylphenalenone pathway in plants and provided evidence for a network of biosynthetic and spontaneous conversions linking phenylphenalenones and their derivatives detected in extracts of cultured roots of this plant.