Triterpenoids isolated and characterized from various sources are revi
ewed. The newer spectroscopic techniques used in their structure eluci
dation, the new skeleta characterized, their total chemical synthesis,
and their biosynthesis are discussed. A compilation of the triterpeno
ids isolated during the period 1990-1994 along with their occurrence,
physical data, spectroscopy and X-ray analysis used for their characte
rization, is included. The biological activities of the triterpenoids
are also discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.