ABSTRACT
The metabolic network in any given plant cell consists of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of biochemical reactions. In Flux Balance Analysis (FBA), net flux distribution is constrained by experimentally determined inputs and outputs, mass balances, and thermodynamic feasibility. FBA probes the probable solution space to identify metabolic flux distributions that are optimized toward achieving an objective, such as the accumulation of biomass. Monoterpenoids are the primary end products of metabolism in peppermint glandular trichomes and flux through the methylerythritol 4-phosphate pathway is predicted to be very high. The ability to produce volatiles is important both as a direct defense but also for acquired immunity and plant–plant communication, and more experimental efforts in this area would be desirable, thereby informing models to assess dynamic changes in overall flux distribution. Flux distribution across central carbon metabolism is very similar in glandular trichomes of painted tongue and rough cocklebur.
