Suberin

Suberin is a plant biopolymer is incorporated into the cell walls. Suberinisierte cells are found both in phelloderm as the secondary dermal tissue as well as in underground plant organs. The name derives for suberin is the species name of the cork oak (Quercus suber).

Structure

The suberin can be divided into two distinct domains: a polyphenolic and a polyaliphatic domain. In the polyaliphatic fraction dicarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, long-chain fatty acids and phenolic acids were found. The current research also provides evidence that glycerol is also a very prominent monomer of the connection. The phenolic fraction shows a similarity to lignin. However, with him, the proportion of monolignols considerably lower than the lignin.

Regarding the structure is to assume that the percentages referred to two spatially separated occur in suberin. Thus, in the transmission electron microscope ( TEM) to observe the known Suberinlamellen. However, since the suberin may be examined at the time only by depolymerization, are exact information about the exact structure of yet. Secured is only that the individual monomers are linked together via esterification reactions.

Occurrence

Suberin occurs mainly in the cell walls of Phellems (cork ), building from the cork cambium ( cork cambium ) to the outside, the plant body surface, is formed. Also occurs in the primary endoderm, where it impregnates the Casparischer strip and in the secondary endodermis, in which it is superposed as Suberinlamelle on cell inner wall, above. Suberin forms a matrix, are embedded in the wax. In this combination, it prevents the loss of water and other molecules to the plant surface.

Biological Function

When the hydrophobic material suberin assumes the function of a seal against water leakage in the root. About this interfacial away is water and solute transport controlled only possible via the symplast and thus of the plant.

• Biopolymer
• Phenylpropanoid
• Phytochemicals