Benzoate pathway: members, biosynthesis and function.

Abstract Efforts to treat diseases have long involved the use of natural materials placed in contact with human tissues. The main sources of these materials are plant products containing a broad spectrum of compounds capable of restoring, regenerating and even healing tissues. A unique, dual-purpose function is ascribed to benzoate derivatives. Plant protection against environmental stresses on the one hand and strong antimicrobial and antioxidant functions on the other are their potential functions. The benzoate pathway, although very rich in compounds of different and important functions for producers (plant) and consumers, is as yet not fully understood. Signal molecules (salicylate), antimicrobial and antifungal (benzoate, vanillin), local anaesthetic (cocaine) and anticancer (taxol) are all examples of simple benzoate derivatives. Thus, the challenge for biochemists and biotechnologists is to gain more knowledge about the identification and regulation of genes that control this pathway and its application for diversified compound production in plants. The main goal of this review is to summarize knowledge about the route/routes of biosynthesis of benzenoid derivatives (BP) from the phenylpropanoid pathway, as well as about the regulation of the biosynthesis of these compounds, their properties and biotechnological approaches for their production.