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Planta Med 1963; 11(4): 399-406
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1100255
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

DISTRIBUTION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN SOME SOUTH AFRICAN PROTEACEAE. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHEMOTAXONOMY OF THE FAMILY.

M. C. B. van Rheede van Oudtshoorn
  • Farmaceutisc Laboratorium der Rijksuniversiteit Leiden (Holland)
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Publication History

Publication Date:
15 January 2009 (online)

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Summary

Herbarium samples of thirty species of Proleaceae were investigated by means of paper chromatography with regard to the presence of arbutin, hydroquinone, flavonols, leuco–anthocyanins and cinnamic acid derivatives. Arbutin and hydroquinone were found in all the species investigated. This experiment shows to what extent herbarium samples can still be used for a chemical investigation.

The phytochemical relationship between other families which are regarded by various authors to be related to Proteales are discussed; i. e. Hutchinson (1959) (relationship between Proteaceae and Thymelaeaceae), Wettstein (1935) (Sanlalales and Proteales) and Takhtajan (1959) (Santalales, especially Olacaceae, and Proteaceae).

Because of the fact that Proteaceae and these families regarded as being related are little investigated phytochemically, no definite conclusions can be made. Aluminium accumulation as demonstrated by Chenery (1948) and

Webb (1954), and the accumulation of cyanogenic compounds (Hegnauer 1960, 1961) may support the view as expressed by Takhtajan (1959).

Zusammenfassung

30 Arten der Proteaceae (Herbarexemplare) wurden papierchromatographisch auf Arbutin, Hydrochinon, Flavonole, Leuco–Anthozyane und Derivate der Zimtsäure untersucht. In allen Species fanden sich Arbutin– und Hydrochinon. Die phytochemischen Beziehungen zu anderen den Proleales nahestehenden Familien werden diskutiert.

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