No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Styrylpyrone synthase is a polyketide synthase, catalyzing the formation of styrylpyrones from hydroxy‐ cinnamoyl‐CoA precursors and malonyl‐CoA. After incubation of cell free extracts obtained from Equisetum arvense L. gametophytes with p‐coumaroyl‐CoA or caffeoyl‐CoA, high performance liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐APCI‐MS) led to the identification of bisnoryangonin and hispidin, respectively, as metabolites. These findings enabled the development of an assay for styrylpyrone synthase activity based on HPLC analysis of the reaction products. The technique could also be useful for product identification in related polyketide synthase reactions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.