β-Oxidation of ω-Phenoxyalkylcarboxylic Acids in the Flax Plant

Abstract

SINCE the classical work of Knoop¹ on the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids within the animal body, numerous investigations have been carried out in this field. It is now established that such an oxidative mechanism does, in fact, operate in the animal². On the other hand, evidence that β-oxidation occurs within plant tissue is lacking. Synerholm and Zimmerman³, however, studying a homologous series of seven ω-(2: 4-dichlorophenoxy)-alkylcarboxylic acids, found an alternation in growth-regulating activity to occur with increasing length of side-chain. The results were consistent with the view that degradation of these acids by (β-oxidation was taking place within the plant.