Pentacyclic Triterpenoids in Epicuticular Waxes from Euphorbia lathyris L., Euphorbiaceae

The chemical composition of the leaf surface wax of Euphorbia lathyris L. was analysed using TLC, GC, GC-MS and NMR. A predominance of pentacyclic triterpenoids and primary alcohols was observed. They together constituted 60% of the total wax. Seven triterpenols: taraxerol, β-amyrin, lupeol, isomotiol, a-fernenol, simiarenol. Ψ-taraxasterol and eight triterpenones: taraxerone, β-amyrinone, lupenone, isomotione, a- and β-fernenone, simiarenone and filicanone were isolated. Among them , β-amyrin and lupeol were found esterified with homologous series of fatty acids. The minor part of wax was formed by long chained and predominantly saturated alkanes, wax esters, aldehydes and free fatty acids.