Page 159 - phytochemistry general program

Several probabilities are expected when a certain substrate is added to a culture
medium for biotransformation:

1- The cultured cells may not take the substrate and it will remain unchanged in
the medium.

2- The cultured cells may make use of the substrate without biotransforming it to
the desired compound.

3- The cultured cells may biotransform part or all of the substrate to the desired
compound .

4- The cultured cells may biotransform the substrate into the desired compound
together with other known or unknown compounds.

Therefore it is important to trace added substrate in both the medium and the
grown cells. This can be done by using certain radiotracer studies as:
1. liquid scintillation counter
2. autoradiography

GOOD LUCK

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