METABOLISM OF AROMATIC COMPOUNDS.

Abstract

A brief account of the two major metabolic pathways which lead to the biosynthesis of a number of complex aromatic compounds is given. The metabolism of benzene and related aromatic hydrocarbons by microbes and mammals is compared. The microbial metabolism of phenol, cresols, xyleaths, benzoic acid and its derivatives, phenylacetic and hydroxyphenylacetic acids, zcetcpbencne, enethyoines, phenylacetaldehyde, rnzndelic rnd hydioxymandelic acids,  benylpropionic z rid hydroxyphenylaceytic acids, Phenylpropropionic acids, phenyllactic acids, cot mar in, cinnamic zcid and cotmar ic acid is reviewed, The initial rezctions involved in the  iotransformaticn of pi - enylak nine, tyrosine and dopa are given. A detailed survey of the various aromatic ring cleavage reactions of gentisaldavde, gentisic acid, homogentisic acid, 3- ydroxya.nthranilic acid, depa, caffeic acid, 2, 3-dihydioxy phenylpropionic acid, homoprotccatechuic acid, protccatechuic acid, Pyrocatechuic acid, methyleate_ chols, catechol, gallic acid and other compounds is made.