Original scientific paper

Volatile Constituents from the Leaves of Young and Old Ailanthus altissima (Mili.) Swingle Tree

Josip Mastelić ; Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Split, N. Tesle 10IV, 21000 Split, Croatia
Igor Jerković ; Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Split, N. Tesle 10IV, 21000 Split, Croatia

Abstract

The Chemical composition of volatile compounds from the tree of heaven leaves (Ailanthus altissima (Mili.) Swingle) was analysed, for the first time, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
The volatiles were isolated from fresh as well as from dried leaves of young and old trees. Forty-nine compounds were identified, rep-resenting 88.5-96.3% of total volatiles. The main constituents were aliphatic C6-compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters) 30.8-59.7%, sesquiterpene compounds, especially hydrocarbons (β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, γ- and δ-cadinene, calarene) 11.3-57.4%, oxygenated monoterpenes (linalool, geraniol, α-terpineol) 3.6-9.4% and other compounds 4.5-12.0%. The stage of plant development and the air-drying of plant material have a strong influence on the qualitative and quantitative composition of ailanthus volatile compounds.

Keywords

Ailanthus altissima (Mili.) Swingle; Simaroubaceae; volatile constituents; β-caryophyllene; γ-cadinene; (E)-2-hexenal; (Z)-3-hexene-1-ol

Hrčak ID:

127495

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/127495

Publication date:

4.2.2002.

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