text: Reasons for the glycosylation
  Stabilization of aglycones
  Change in solubility
  Protecting the plant against aglycone
  Example sinigrin
  Biosynthetic aspects
  Glycosides are generally conjugates from sugars, in specific cases the conjugates from monosaccarides. Here are the glycosides of secondary natural products are discussed. These are the glycosides in which the secondary natural products are bound to a sugar. Examples are the vanillosid, the cardiac glycosides or salicin.
  Glycosides are defined by IUPAC as:
  The formation of the acetal is carried from the hemiacetal, which represent the cyclic form of sugars. The formation of the mixed acetal may result in the formation of oligosaccharides or polysaccharides (such as starch). These are sugar-sugar compounds carry no non-sugar moiety. However, it also non-sugar residues are possibly attached. These are called as opposed to sugar residues aglycone. The sugar residues are then called glycone.
  Aglycone and sugar compound
  The glycosides can be divided in different sub-classes depending on the atom which is involved in the bonding between glycone and aglycone. There are glycosides (O),thioglycosides (S), N-glycosides (N) or C- glycosides (C). In contrast to the other glycosides the C-glycosides are not longer acetals.
  The glycosidic bond is chemically a mixed acetal. By cyclisation the sugar first forms a hemiacetal and a new stereocenter is created (alpha or beta sugar). In contrast to the other OH groups, which are alcohol groups, the OH group is chemically an acetal, which means that it has a higher reactivity.
  The main reasons of glycosylation are the change in solubility of aglcone, its stabilization and the attenuation of the reactivity. To obtain the aglycone the cleavage of the glycosidic bond is provided. This can take place by fermentation.
  Reactive natural products can be stabilized through glycosidation. Even a prefered structure of the aglycone can be formed and for this the sugar can be seen as protecting group. With the glycosidation the aglycone lost one nucleophilic centre and therefore the aglycone has a lower reactivity.
  Often secondary natural substances aren't water soluble. This reduces their bioavailability and the plant isn't able to use the compound. By glycosidation the solubility of the aglycone can be changed. Sugars are highly polar, soluble substances. Thus, it may be possible to convert the formerly insoluble aglycone in soluble glycosides. As glycoside the aglycone can take part in the aqueous substance transport.
  Plants biosynthesizing also toxins or toxic compounds, and also substances that are antimicrobial or cytotoxic. Since these can be toxic to the plants, the toxic aglycone must be stored in a non-toxic form. One strategy is the glycosylation .
  Sinigrin is the storage form of allyl isothiocyanate. Allyl isothiocyanate is highly reactive and is classified as toxic and dangerous for the environment. In humans and animals, it is perceived as sharp, pungent and lachrymatory. Allyl isothiocyanate is used for defense against herbivores. For this sinigrin is cleaved by the enzym myrosinase and the aglycone is transformed to allyl isothiocyanate. In contrast, sinigrin is harmless to organisms.
  Sinigrin is part of the black mustard (Brassica nigra) and various other types of mustard.
  In the human body, in animals and in plants, foreign substances are glycosylated in the metabolism. This is one of the strategies of the organism's transforme and eliminate foreign substances. Reasons for this are the previously mentioned changes in the solubility and the change in reactivity.
  In plants, the glycosides of glucose are synthesized on an activated molecule glucose and the aglycone. Starting point of the synthesis is glucose which is phosphorylated by ATP. After isomerization glucose is activated by uridine triphosphate. The result is UDP-glucose, which contains an energy-rich anhydride. In the reaction with the aglycone the various glycosides are formed.
  In addition to this general scheme there are other ways of synthesize glycosides.
  Aucubin Plantain(Plantago lanceolata L.)
  Cardic glycosides Digitalis (Digitalis L.)
  Salicin Salix
  Steviol glycoside Sweet leaf (Stevia rebaudiana)
  Vanilloside Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)
  IUPAC Bezeichnung der Kohlenhydrate
  Jones, Patrik, and Thomas Vogt. "Glycosyltransferases in secondary plant metabolism: tranquilizers and stimulant controllers." Planta 213.2 (2001): 164-174.