COMPOSITION OF THE EPICUTICULAR WAX ESTERS OF PICEA-ABIES (L) KARST

The long-chain alkyl esters homologues of the cuticular needle wax of Picea abies consist of a series of isomers, which are formed by differ ent n-fatty acids and n-alkanols of various chain lengths. Even-number ed esters are dominating. Methyl eaters range from C-27 to C-37, even- numbered eaters are only minor components. Furthermore, a new class of homologue wax esters was isolated. Examination by gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and chemical studies resulted in identification of pentenyl eaters of triacontanoic, dotriacontanoic, tetratriacontanoic and hexatriacontanoic acid.