Biosynthesis of pteroside B in Pteridium aquilinum var. Latiusculum,proof of the sesquiterpenoid origin of the pterosides

Pteroside B was isolated in radioactive form after administration of [2-¹⁴C]mevalonate to Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, demonstrating that the biosynthesis of the aglycone proceeds through the ordinary pathway to sesquiterpenoids. Kuhn-Roth oxidation of the radioactive aglycone was carried out to examine the distribution of the radioactivity among the 3 methyls of the aglycone. The biosynthetic implications of these results are discussed.