Authors: Oluwadayo O. Sonibare, Olatunbosun S. Sojinu
European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X Vol.25 No.2 (2009), pp.192-199
Abstract
The chemical compositions of leaf lipids of two angiosperms plant species (Ficus.elasticoides and Phyllanthus amaraus) have been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
The distributions and abundance of compounds that can serve as precursors for higher plant biomarker hydrocarbons commonly found in sediments and fossil fuels were assessed. Aliphatic lipids such as n-alkanes, n-alkanols and n-alkanoic acid were detected in the lipid extracts. Triterpenoids of the oleanane (28-norolean-17-en-3-one, β -amyrin), ursane (α -amyrin) and lupane (lupeol, betulin) series, as well as steroids (α-sitosterol and stigmasterol) were also detected in the extracts. These compounds can serve as precursors for several triterpanes and steranes found in sedimentary records.
Keywords: Angiosperms, Hydrocarbons, Aliphatic lipids, Triterpenoids, Fossil fuels