THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE HEARTWOOD EXTRACTIVES OF TAMARACK (LARIX LARICINA (DU ROI) K. KOCH)

Abstract

The acetone-soluble constituents of the heartwood of tamarack have been investigated. The flavanonols taxifolin and aromadendrin were isolated in 0.30 and 0.05% yield and a trace amount of quercetin was obtained. Tropolones could not be detected, nor was there any evidence for resin acids. The major portion of the extract consisted of esters of ferulic, phthalic, and long-chain fatty acids. Eicosanyl ferulate was isolated as such, whereas the other constituents were identified after saponification. Gas liquid chromatography of the fatty acid mixture indicated the presence of palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids as well as small amounts of C14, stearic, and C20 acids. From the non-saponifiable portion β-sitosterol, eicosanol, and nonan-2-ol were isolated. The acetone extract also contained free D-galactose and L-arabinose.