Phytol
Encyclopedia
Phytol is an acyclic diterpene
alcohol
that can be used as a precursor for the manufacture of synthetic forms of vitamin E
and vitamin K1. In ruminant
s, the gut fermentation of ingested plant materials liberates phytol, a constituent of chlorophyll
, which is then converted to phytanic acid
and stored in fats.
, retinitis pigmentosa
, anosmia
, and hearing loss. Although humans cannot derive phytanic acid
from chlorophyll
, they can convert free phytol into phytanic acid
. Thus, patients with Refsum disease should limit their intake of phytanic acid
and free phytol. The amount of free phytol in numerous food products has been reported.
) as chemical deterrents against predation. These compounds originate from host plants.
Indirect evidence has been provided that the great apes
(bonobos
, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), in contrast to humans, derive significant amounts of phytol, which is then converted to phytanic acid
, from the hindgut fermentation
of plant materials.
(RXR).
Terpene
Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants, particularly conifers, though also by some insects such as termites or swallowtail butterflies, which emit terpenes from their osmeterium. They are often strong smelling and thus may have had a protective...
alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
that can be used as a precursor for the manufacture of synthetic forms of vitamin E
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is used to refer to a group of fat-soluble compounds that include both tocopherols and tocotrienols. There are many different forms of vitamin E, of which γ-tocopherol is the most common in the North American diet. γ-Tocopherol can be found in corn oil, soybean oil, margarine and dressings...
and vitamin K1. In ruminant
Ruminant
A ruminant is a mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first compartment of the stomach, principally through bacterial actions, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again...
s, the gut fermentation of ingested plant materials liberates phytol, a constituent of chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
, which is then converted to phytanic acid
Phytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
and stored in fats.
Human pathology
Refsum disease, an autosomal recessive disorder that results from the accumulation of large stores of phytanic acid in tissues, frequently manifests peripheral polyneuropathy, cerebellar ataxiaCerebellar ataxia
Cerebellar ataxia is a form of ataxia originating in the cerebellum.-References:...
, retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetic eye conditions that leads to incurable blindness. In the progression of symptoms for RP, night blindness generally precedes tunnel vision by years or even decades. Many people with RP do not become legally blind until their 40s or 50s and retain some...
, anosmia
Anosmia
Anosmia is a lack of functioning olfaction, or in other words, an inability to perceive odors. Anosmia may be either temporary or permanent. A related term, hyposmia, refers to a decreased ability to smell, while hyperosmia refers to an increased ability to smell. Some people may be anosmic for one...
, and hearing loss. Although humans cannot derive phytanic acid
Phytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
from chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...
, they can convert free phytol into phytanic acid
Phytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
. Thus, patients with Refsum disease should limit their intake of phytanic acid
Phytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
and free phytol. The amount of free phytol in numerous food products has been reported.
Roles in nature
Insects, such as the sumac flea beetle, are reported to use phytol and its metabolites (e.g. phytanic acidPhytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
) as chemical deterrents against predation. These compounds originate from host plants.
Indirect evidence has been provided that the great apes
Great Apes
Great Apes may refer to*Great apes, species in the biological family Hominidae, including humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans*Great Apes , a 1997 novel by Will Self...
(bonobos
Bonobos
Bonobos is a dub band from Osaka, Japan. They formed in August of 2001. Their current lineup includes; Chunho Sai , Yasuyuki Sasaki , Natsuko Morimoto , Bondo Tsuji and Izumi Matsui...
, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), in contrast to humans, derive significant amounts of phytol, which is then converted to phytanic acid
Phytanic acid
Phytanic acid is a branched chain fatty acid that humans can obtain through the consumption of dairy products, ruminant animal fats, and certain fish. Western diets are estimated to provide 50-100 mg of phytanic acid per day...
, from the hindgut fermentation
Hindgut fermentation
Hindgut fermentation is a digestive process seen in monogastric herbivores, animals with a simple, single-chambered stomach. Cellulose is digested with the aid of symbiotic bacteria. The microbial fermentation occurs in the digestive organs that follow the small intestine, namely the large...
of plant materials.
Modulator of transcription
Phytol and/or its metabolites have been reported to bind to and/or activate the transcription factors PPAR-alpha and retinoid X receptorRetinoid X receptor
The retinoid X receptor is a type of nuclear receptor that is activated by 9-cis retinoic acid. There are three retinoic X receptors : RXR-alpha, RXR-beta, and RXR-gamma, encoded by the , , genes, respectively....
(RXR).