Hydrocarbons and wax esters from seven species of mangrove leaves

Abstract

Seven species of fresh mangrove leaves were found to contain saturated normal and branched chain hydrocarbons, mostly between C 16 and C 36 with both odd and even carbon numbers. Significant quantitative variations were found between species. Wax esters were found to contain fatty acids with chain lengths between C 12 and C 22. Palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) acids were the major component saturated fatty acids, whereas, oleic (18:1) and linolenic (18:3) acids were the major unsaturate α-acids. Chain lengths of the alcohols of wax esters were between C 14 and C 36. Significant quantitative and minor qualitative differences were noted in the alcohol composition of wax esters. Hydrocarbon and wax ester compositions were characterised by the presence of low M, components in high proportions.