Objective: To synthesis 4-methyl-7-allyloxy coumarin by Williamson etherification from 4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin and apply as a substrate in hairy roots of Polygonum multiflorum.
Methods: The synthesis reaction of 4-methyl-7-allyloxy coumarin used the allyl bromide and potassium carbonate as catalysts, and acetone as solvent reacted for 17 hours, then the product was isolated. 4-methyl-7-allyloxy coumarin was added into the media of supension transgenic hairy roots of Polygonum multiflorum which had been precultured for 8 d, and then co-cultured for another 7 d. The biotransformation products were detected by TLC and HPLC and isolated by various chromatographic methods.
Results: Two biotransformation products, 4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin and 4-methyl-coumarin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside were isolated and identified.
Conclusion: Hairy roots of Polygonum multiflorum contains not only glycosyltransferase but also hydrolysis enzymes.