Composition of epicuticular waxes of some grasses

Abstract

The compositions of the epicuticular waxes of grasses Agropyron desertorum, Bromus inermis, Elymus cinereus, Elymus junceus, Festuca ovina, and Phleum pratense have been determined. Hexacosanol was the principal component of wax of A. desertorum and P. pratense, and octacosanol, of wax of E. junceus; C40–C60 esters were major components of wax of B. inermis. Hentriacontane-14, 16-dione and the 25-hydroxy derivative were the principal components of wax of E. cinereus, and the major constituent of wax of F. ovina was tritriacontane-12, 14-dione. The two β-diketone-containing grasses were glaucous.