Determination of the content of ursolic and oleanolic acid in the cuticular wax of fruits of different species of Rosaceae

Michael A Ludeña-Huaman,Deborah A Ramos-Inquiltupa

doi:10.15446/rev.colomb.quim.v48n2.77046

Abstract

Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) are two widely distributed triterpenes in fruits, especially those belonging to Rosaceae family. These triterpene isomers are of great pharmacological interest due to their multiple bioactive properties. For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine the content of UA and OA extracted from the cuticular wax of five highly edible fruits (quince, loquat, pear, peach and apple) all belonging to the Rosaceae family. The acids were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Both UA and OA are present in all these fruits, however, UA is in greater quantities.

Highlights

Rosaceae family consists of a great variety of plants with edible fruits, healthy and of great economic importance such as apple, peach, pear, quince, loquat, etc. [1]
The surface of the fruits is covered by a lipophilic layer called cuticle, which has two main components: (i) the lipophilic compounds released by solvent extraction which are collectively designated as cuticular wax and (ii) the lipophilic component that cannot be extracted due to its polymer structure which is called cutin [3]
Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) (Fig. 1) are two of the main pentacyclic triterpenes found in the cuticular wax of many fruits, vegetables, and plants [5, 6]

Summary

Introduction

Rosaceae family consists of a great variety of plants with edible fruits, healthy and of great economic importance such as apple, peach, pear, quince, loquat, etc. [1]. Rosaceae family consists of a great variety of plants with edible fruits, healthy and of great economic importance such as apple, peach, pear, quince, loquat, etc. In Peru, the production of apples, peaches/nectarines, pears, quinces, and loquats reach a total of 158, 51, 4, 7 and 2 thousand tons, respectively [2]. Ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) (Fig. 1) are two of the main pentacyclic triterpenes found in the cuticular wax of many fruits, vegetables, and plants [5, 6]. These molecules are of great interest because they have been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and analgesic. These molecules are of great interest because they have been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, and analgesic. [7,8,9,10,11,12]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion