Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
08:56
Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
Published on: August 16, 2018
2-undecanone rich leaf essential oil from Zanthoxylum armatum
Deepa Bisht1, Chandan S Chanotiya
1Department ofBotany, Govt PG College, Kumaun University, Ramnagar, Nainital-244715, Uttarakhand, India. deepa_ocean1981@yahoo.co.in
Natural Product Communications
|March 4, 2011
Summary
The leaf essential oils of Zanthoxylum armatum from India contain unique acyclic ketones, 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone. This novel chemical profile can help authenticate the plant
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Zanthoxylum armatum (Rutaceae) is a plant species with traditional uses.
- Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds with diverse applications.
- Previous studies on Z. armatum essential oils have reported varying chemical compositions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the chemical composition of Zanthoxylum armatum leaf essential oils from Kumaon, India.
- To identify novel or characteristic compounds within the essential oil.
- To investigate the potential of specific compounds for authentication purposes.
Main Methods:
- Hydrodistillation was used to extract leaf essential oils.
- Capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was employed for separation and quantification.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for compound identification.
Main Results:
- The essential oil was rich in acyclic and menthane monoterpenoids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones.
- A high proportion of non-terpenic acyclic ketones, specifically 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone, was observed.
- The composition, characterized by these ketones and low levels of other compounds, is reported as novel for Z. armatum from this region.
- Essential oil from the second day of distillation showed increased 2-tridecanone and trans-caryophyllene content.
Conclusions:
- The dominance of acyclic ketones (2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone) in Z. armatum leaf oil represents a unique chemical profile.
- This distinct composition differs from previously reported Z. armatum chemotypes, particularly those rich in linalool.
- The identified acyclic ketones can serve as valuable chemical markers for determining the origin and authenticity of Z. armatum material from Kumaon, India.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Aromatic Compounds: Overview
In general, the term ‘aromatic’ indicates a pleasant smell or fragrance from fresh flowers, freshly prepared coffee, etc. In the early history of organic chemistry, many benzene derivatives were isolated from the pleasant odor oils of the plants. For example, vanillin was isolated from the oil of vanilla, methyl salicylate from the oil of wintergreen, and cinnamaldehyde from the oil of cinnamon. They all had a pleasant odor; hence the name aromatic was given.
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
In 1825, Faraday isolated benzene...
01:18Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism
Birch reduction uses solvated electrons as reducing agents. The reaction converts benzene to 1,4-cyclohexadiene. The reaction proceeds by the transfer of a single electron to the ring to form a benzene radical anion. This anion is highly basic—it abstracts a proton from the alcohol to form a cyclohexadienyl radical. Another single electron transfer gives the cyclohexadienyl anion. A proton transfer from the alcohol forms 1,4-cyclohexadiene. Since this reduction occurs via radical anion...