The diarylheptanoids (also known as diphenylheptanoids) are a class of plant
secondary metabolites. Diarylheptanoids consist of two aromatic rings (
aryl groups) joined by a seven carbons chain (
heptane) and having various substituents.[1] They can be classified into linear (
curcuminoids) and cyclic diarylheptanoids. The best known member is
curcumin, which is isolated from
turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is known as food coloring E100. Some other Curcuma species, such as Curcuma comosa also produce diarylheptanoids.
They have been reported from plants in 10 different families, e.g. Betulaceae and Zingiberaceae.
^Hölscher, Dirk; Schneider, Bernd (1995). "A diarylheptanoid intermediate in the biosynthesis of phenylphenalenones in Anigozanthos preissii". Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications (5): 525–526.
doi:
10.1039/C39950000525.
^Brand, S; Hölscher, D; Schierhorn, A; Svatos, A; Schröder, J; Schneider, B (2006). "A type III polyketide synthase from Wachendorfia thyrsiflora and its role in diarylheptanoid and phenylphenalenone biosynthesis". Planta. 224 (2): 413–428.
doi:
10.1007/s00425-006-0228-x.
PMID16496097.
S2CID38508249.