Dihydrokaempferol

Dihydrokaempferol is a dihydroflavonol, a type of flavonoid in plants. It is the dihydro derivative of kaempferol and serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of flavonols and anthocyanidins.

In plant biochemistry, dihydrokaempferol is produced from naringenin by the enzyme flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H). From this intermediate, two main pathways are possible: flavonol synthase (FLS) converts dihydrokaempferol into kaempferol, a common plant flavonol; alternatively, dihydrokaempferol can be reduced by dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR) to form a leucoanthocyanidin that enters the anthocyanin biosynthetic branch and, with further processing, yields pelargonidin and related pigments.

Dihydrokaempferol occurs in a variety of plant species and tissues, including leaves, flowers, and seeds. Its levels vary among species and are influenced by tissue type, developmental stage, and environmental conditions. Because it is an intermediate rather than a final metabolite, dihydrokaempferol is typically studied within the context of flavonoid biosynthesis rather than as a discrete dietary component.

Research on dihydrokaempferol focuses on its role as a substrate for key enzymes and on its contribution to the production of kaempferol and other flavonoids. Analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are used to detect and quantify it in plant tissues. Overall, dihydrokaempferol is characterized by its function as a biosynthetic intermediate in plant secondary metabolism.