Plant long-chain polyprenols as chemotaxonomic markers

The occurrence of long-chain polyprenols in leaves of plants of Lauraceae, Tiliaceae and Magnoliaceae families was studied. Separation of groups of polyprenols differing in the size of molecules was performed by thin-layer chromatography. In all studied species long-chain polyprenols were detected. The total polyprenol content in leaves reached values as high as 3% of their dry weight. In the studied species belonging to Lauraceae family a fraction of polyprenols composed of 10-14 isoprene units was present. In species of Tiliaceae and Magnoliaceae polyprenols composed of 9-12 and 10-12 isoprene units were present, respectively. Differences in polyprenol profile characteristic for each family studied were observed. These results were confirmed by HPLC. The structure of these polyprenols was examined by NMR spectrometry and in representative species studied polyprenols exibited the typical poly-cis structure. The effect of insolation on the rate of accumulation of polyprenols was documented.