Nonsaponifiable lipid components of the pollen of elder (Sambucus nigra L.)

Pollen of the elder (Sambucus nigra L.) was extracted with chloroform-metha nol. The extract was separated by column chromatography into the following groups of compounds: hydrocarbons (8.7%), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (0.2%), complex esters (5.2%), triglycerides (18.7%), hydroxy esters (27.9% ), free fatty acids and alcohols (16.8%), free sterols (6.8%), and triterpe nic alcohols (4.0%). The nonsaponifiable components (hydrocarbons, fatty ac ids, alcohols, and sterols) were examined in detail using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods (IR spectroscopy, GC, and GC-MS). The identified c ompounds were characterized by their mass spectra and Kovats retention indi ces. ne double bond positions and their configurations in unsaturated compo unds are also reported. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.