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Chemosystematic differentiation of Quercus ilex and Q. rotundifolia based on acorn steroids

TitleChemosystematic differentiation of Quercus ilex and Q. rotundifolia based on acorn steroids
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1991
AuthorsRafii, Z. A., Zavarin E., & Pelleau Y.
JournalBiochemical Systematics and Ecology
Volume19
Pagination249-252
Keywordsacorns, chemosystematics, evergreen oak, fatty acids, Quercus ilex, Quercus rotundifolia, steroids
Abstract

Acorns from 34 individual Quercus ilex and Q. rotundifolia trees from 11 locations in Italy and Spain were sampled and analysed for composition of steroids. β-Sitosterol was most abundant in all populations. Concentrations of both stigmasterol and Δ5-avenasterol varied between individual populations in both countries. Δ7-Stigmastenol was not detected in Italian populations and brassicasterol, while absent from the Spanish specimens, was present in the Italian Uccellino population. Principal component analysis showed complete separation of Q. rotundifolia (Spain) and Q. ilex (Italy).