The surface lipids of hydnocarpus wightiana leaves

Abstract

The surface lipids of Hydnocarpus wightiana leaves were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography in conjunction with mass spectrometry. The hydrocarbon fraction contained saturated n-alkanes, n-C 35, with n-hentriacontane as the major component. Analyses of the prim-alcohols revealed the presence of saturated n-, iso- and anteiso-compounds with n-C 32 as the major component. The sec-alcohols consisted mainly of the saturated n-C 29 and n-C 31 compounds, whereas the ketones consisted chiefly of the saturated n-C 30 compound. The aldehyde fraction contained saturated n-alkanals, n-C 23 to n-C 32, with n-octacosanal as the major component. A number of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were also identified in the lipids on the surface of H. wightiana leaves, the major components being palmitic, behemic, lignoceric and cerotic acids which together constituted more than 60% of the total fatty acids present. In contrast to the seed lipids, the surface lipids of H. wightiana leaves do not contain compounds having a terminal cyclopentene ring.