Triterpenoids in Epicuticular Waxes of Three European Euphorbia Species

Abstract

Abstract The epicuticular leaf waxes from E. characias, E. nicaeensis and E. peplus were found to contain pentacyclic triterpenoids in great amounts in addition to the common lipid wax constituents: alkanes, wax esters, aldehydes, primary alcohols and fatty acids. The gross amount of triterpenoids were triterpenols, however, their acetates and fatty acid esters as well as the corresponding ketones were found, too. Distinctive variations in the occurrence of 13 triterpenoids α- and β-amyrin, lupeol, germanicol, α-fernenol, simiarenol, β-amyrinone, lupenone, lupeol acetate, lupeol esters, α- and β-amyrin esters and α-fernenol esters were observed. Therefore all Euphorbia species showed very species specific compositions concerning these triterpenoids.