Flavonoids from Ulex species

Nine flavonoids have been isolated from Ulex jussiaei and U. minor (Legumin osae). From both species the isoflavonoids ulexin A and the new naturally o ccurring ulexin B have been identified, together with isoderrone, the ptero carpans (-)-maackiain and (-)-4-methoxymaackiain, and the chalcone isobavac hromene. The pterocarpan (-)-2-methoxymaackiain was only present in the fir st species and the isoflavones isolupalbigenin and ulexone A have been iden tified in the second one. C-13 NMR data of isobavachromene, isolupalbigenin and ulexone A are also included. The antifungal activity of the isolated c ompounds was tested by the bioautographic method against Cladosporium cucum erinum. The most active compounds were the pterocarpans, the chalcone and t he isoflavones with non-hydroxylated open chain prenyl substituents.