The lipoxygenase pathway in garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulbs: detection of the novel divinyl ether oxylipins.

Incubations of [1-14C]linoleic acid or [1-14C]-(9Z,11E, 13S)-13-hydropero xy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPOD) with juice of garlic bulbs lead to the formation of one predominant labelled product, viz., the novel divinyl ether (9Z,11E, 1'E)-12-(1'-hexenyloxy)-9,11-dodecadienoic acid ('etheroleic acid'). With lesser efficiency [1-14C]alpha-linolenic acid or [1-14C](9Z,11E, 13S,15Z)-13-hydroperoxy-9,11,15-octadecatrienoic acid (13-HPOT) are converted in this way into (9Z,11E,1'E,1'E,3'Z)-12-(1',3'-hexadienyloxy)-9,11- dodecadienoic acid ('etherolenic acid'). Thus, garlic bulbs possess the activity of a new 13-hydroperoxide-specific divinyl ether synthase.