Cutin

Cutin is one of two waxy polymers, which are the main components of the plant cuticle which covers all aerial surfaces of plants. The other major cuticle polymer is cutan. Cutin consists of hydroxy-fatty acids and their derivatives which are interlinked via ester bonds, forming a polyester polymer of indeterminate size.

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There are two major monomer families of cutin, the C16 and C18 families. The C16 family consists mainly of 16-hydroxypalmitate and 9,16 or 10,16-dihydroxypalmitate. The C18 family consists mainly of 18-hydroxyoleate, 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxystearate, and 9,10,18-trihydroxystearate.

Cutin is sometimes confused with suberin.

References

• Holloway, PJ (1982). "The chemical constitution of plant cutins". In Cutler, DF, Alvin, KL and Price, CE (1982) The Plant Cuticle. Academic Press London, pp 45–85.