Catabolism of geraniol by cell suspension cultures of Citrus limon

The addition of geraniol to cell suspension cultures of Citrus limon resulted in the rapid formation of nerol, citronellol, geranic acid and citronellic acid. Concurrently, a transient accumulation of bound forms of branched chain fatty acids, and, with a few hours delay, of regular chain C₂ to C₁₂ fatty acids was elicited. A concerted action of combined α/β-oxidation enzymes on the terpenic acids, followed by an enlarged acetyl CoA pool is suggested. Terpene catabolism in plants and in vitro plant cells is discussed.