Lipophilic Extractives in Heartwood of European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.)

Janja Zule and Katarina Čufar and Vesna Tišler (2015) Lipophilic Extractives in Heartwood of European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.). Drvna Industrija, 66 (4). pp. 305-313. ISSN 0012-6772

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Abstract

The heartwood of two European larch trees was examined for the content of lipophilic extractives. Hexane was used as a solvent for extractions, while gas chromatography with fl ame ionisation detection and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were applied for analyses. Different lipophilic groups of compounds, such as fatty acids, resin acids, diterpenoids, sterols, steryl esters and triglycerides were identifi ed and quantitatively evaluated as well as individual low molecular mass components. Distribution of heartwood lipophilics in relation to the trunk heights was also determined and their most likely biological function in wood tissues discussed. The content of hexane extract increased with stem height. Various fatty and resin acids as well as diterpenoid alcohols and sterols were characterized. The predominating lipophilic compounds identifi ed were isopimaric acid and diterpenoid alcohol larixyl acetate. Their average concentrations in examined samples was between 2.0 and 2.5 mg/g. Higher molecular mass lipophilics, e.g. steryl esters and triglycerides, were also present with concentrations between 0.5 and 2.2 mg/g.

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