ABSTRACT
Star Anise Oil............................................................................. 477 18.10 Application of TLC as a Complementary Method.................................. 478 References ............................................................................................................. 479
Terpenes are derived biosynthetically from units of isoprene, which has the molecular formula C5H8. The in vivo precursors are isopentenyl pyrophosphate and its isomeric dimethylallyl pyrophosphate. In biosynthesis the isoprene units are linked together to build up the skeletons of the terpenes as a multiple of (C5H8)n [1]. The isoprene units may be linked together head to tail or tail to tail (Figure 18.1).
