PLANT LEAF LIPIDS .2. CUTIN HYDROXYACIDS

The leaf cutin of four Angiosperms (Arbutus unedo, Buxus Sempervirens, Daphne Gnidium, Rhus coriaria) and three Gymnosperms (Cupressus sempe rvirens, Juniperus phoenicae, Thuya occidentalis) has been depolymeriz ed with BF3-MeOH. The monomers have been quantified and identified by GC and GC-MS of the TMS derivatives of the methyl esters. Hydroxy fatt y acids are the main monomers. The 16-hydroxy and 10,16-dihydroxyhexad ecanoic acids are present in all the species, the latter is the most a bundant one. The 7- and 8-hydroxyhexadecane-1,16-dioic acids are only identified in the three tested Gymnosperms. The 9,10,18-trihydroxyhexa decanoic acid is present in two species in which it is the most abunda nt compound. Linear fatty acids are also occuring and there is a lot o f unidentified products.