CUTICULAR WAXES FROM THE LEAVES AND FRUIT CAPSULES OF 8 PAPAVERACEAE SPECIES

Cuticular waxes from leaves and fruit capsules of Papaver alpinum sens u Markgr., P. bracteatum Lindl., P. dubium L., P. nudicaule L., P. ori entale L., P, rhoeas L., P. somniferum L., and Eschscholtzia californi ca Cham. were investigated. They consisted of n-alkanes (<19%), alk-1- ylesters (<18%), alk-2-ylesters (<6%), alkanals (<19%), secondary alka nols (21-71%, mainly nonacosan-10-ol), triglycerides (<6%), primary al kanols (2-33%), alkanediols (2-23%, mainly isomeric nonacosanediols), alkanoic acids (<8%), and alkaloids (<12%). In addition, minor amounts of iso- and anteiso-alkanes, alkanoic acid methyl esters, esters of a lkan-10-ols, benzyl- and phenyl-ethylalcohol, triterpenols and phytost erols, ketols, and ketones were detectable. The isomer composition of the secondary alkanols and their alkanediol, ketol, and ketone derivat ives is used to deduce the probable sequence of steps in the respectiv e biosynthetic pathways.