Sciencebiotech
How plant enzymes tell mirror-image molecules apart
Many naturally occurring molecules, such as menthol and limonene, exist in two mirror-image forms called enantiomers. Although they look almost identical, these forms can differ greatly in their smell, taste, or biological effects on the human body. Recent scientific inquiries explore how plant enzymes evolved the remarkable ability to distinguish between these chiral counterparts. Understanding this molecular recognition is crucial for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.