synthesized by the degradation of triterpenoids along with the rearrangement of
degradable products. Quassia has great biological importance and is used as an
insecticide, as a bitter tonic and as anthelmintic for the expulsion of threadworms
from the intestine (Culioli et al. 2003).
Squalene
10.5.7 Sesquarterpenes
Sesquarterpenes contain seven basic units, i.e., isoprene (C 5 H 8 ) having molecular
formula C 35 H 56 . They are actually diterpene-sesquiterpene derivatives.
Plagiospirolide A, B, C, D are obtained from the liverwort of Plagiochila moritziana. Ferrugicadiol and ferrugieudesmol are obtained from the bark of
Calocedrus macrolepis. C-35 terpene having pentacyclic structure is obtained
biosynthetically from Bacillus subtilis via cyclization with the help of an enzyme.
CH 3
CH 3
H
CH 3
CH 3
C
H 3
CH 3
CH 3
C
H 3
CH 3
Sesquarterpene obtained from Bacillus subtilis
10.5.8 Tetraterpenes
Tetraterpenes are 40 carbon (C 40 ) containing compounds. In this class, the
medicinally important compounds are well-known carotenoids. They are colored
substances usually red, yellow, or orange in color. They are used as food colorants
over synthetic color due to their non-toxic and stable nature. The coloring agents
are used as pharmaceutical aids. The examples of carotenoids are b-carotene,
capsanthin, capsorubin, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein, etc. (Lalonde. 2005).
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