Turnover of coniferin in pine seedlings

Coniferin (coniferyl alcohol-β-d-glucoside) was not detected in pine seeds (Picea abies) but it accumulated in the stems and roots of pine seedlings. Pulse labeling experiments with l-phenylalanine-[U-¹⁴C] and 100-day-old pine seedlings in hydroponic solution showed a turnover of coniferin with a half life of about 60 hr. Pulse labeling with ¹⁴CO₂ and seedlings kept in soil gave a half life of about 120 hr for coniferin. The results indicate that coniferin could be an intermediate of lignin biosynthesis in pine seedlings.