scholarly journals Epicuticular wax lipid composition of endemic European Betula species and its application to chemotaxonomy and paleobotany

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Weber ◽  
L. Schwark
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Epicuticular Wax ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Peat Bogs ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Pollen Shape ◽  
Betula Humilis ◽  
Long Chain

AbstractPlants, in particular trees with specific habitat demands are excellent indicators of climate state. Vegetation successions in subrecent and deep geologic time is recorded in fossil macro-remains or pollen accumulating in geological archives like limnic and marine sediments, peat bogs and mires. Birch trees in Europe form a major part in plant successions and constitute the dwarf species Betula nana and Betula humilis representing cold-adapted habitats or climates and two tree birches, Betula pubescens and Betula pendula characteristic for temperate habitats or climates. These birch species exhibit highly similar pollen shape and size, preventing their unambiguous application as paleoclimate/paleovegetation proxies. We here present a chemotaxonomic differentiation of the four European birch species based on their epicuticular wax lipids. The dominating lipid classes in epicuticular birch waxes were found to be n-alkanes (in the range of n-C23 to n-C33), straight-chain primary alcohols and fatty acids (in the range of n-C20 to n-C32), and long-chain wax ester (in the range of n-C38 to n-C46) in variable amounts and distributions. When preserved in geological archives these lipids may serve in paleovegetation/paleoclimate reconstruction. Long-chain wax esters are susceptible to hydrolysis and upon diagenesis the release of ester-bound alcohols and fatty acids may modify the distribution pattern of the corresponding primary free lipids. Quantitative analysis of the hydrolyzable wax ester proportion revealed primary distribution patterns of birch lipids not to change substantially upon release of bound analogues. The specific composition and abundance of epicuticular wax lipids facilitates unambiguous chemotaxonomic separation of the four European birch species. Wax lipid-based discrimination in field application, however, is complicated by mixing of alkyl lipids derived from different birch species and contribution of wax lipids from other plants. In cases, where palynology indicates a high contribution of Betula species to European vegetation associations, wax lipids may serve for differentiation of the species contributing.

Epicuticular Leaf Wax of Euphorbia dendroides L., Euphorbiaceae

1987 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul-Gerhard Gülz ◽  
Herbert Hemmers ◽  
Jutta Bodden ◽  
Franz-Josef Marner
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Benzoic Acid ◽  
Epicuticular Wax ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Long Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Leaf Wax ◽  
Acid Esters ◽  
Long Chain ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

Quantity and composition of epicuticular leaf wax of Euphorbia dendroides L. was examined. The wax contained rt-alkanes, wax esters, aldehydes, fatty acids and primary alcohols. In addition to these common epicuticular wax constituents several triterpenoids and benzoic acid esters were found. The triterpenols β-amyrin and lupeol occurred free as well as esterified with long chain fatty acids. The ketones Δ 12-oleanen-3-one and lupen-3-one have also been identified.

Seasonal Variation In The Composition Of Epicuticular Waxes Of Quevcus Robur Leaves

1992 ◽  
Vol 47 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 800-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.-G. Gülz ◽  
E. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Leaf Surface Area ◽  
Ester Biosynthesis ◽  
Genetically Determined

The epicuticular leaf waxes of Quercus robur were analyzed continuously over a two years vegetation period with preparation every week from April to November. The folded leaflets in buds have waxes quite different in yield and composition from those of mature leaves. They contain homologous series of hydrocarbons, wax esters, primary alcohols, fatty acids and triterpenoids from the beginning, but not aldehydes. After leaf unfolding a dynamic biosynthesis of alcohols, aldehydes and fatty acids is observed in May and June. Wax content is doubled per dry weight or in cm2 leaf surface area and 80-fold per one leaf in that time. During leaf development tetracosanol becomes the dominant epicuticular wax component comprising ca. 40% of the wax. In both years of the study a reactivation of wax ester biosynthesis is observed in October and November. Esters with chain length C36 and C38 increased particularly. From July to November the wax composition remained nearly constant within mean values and their standard deviations. Within the two years studied most values concerning wax composition are reproducible and are therefore genetically determined. In spring the growing processes are influenced by climatic factors

Epicuticular Waxes from Leaves of Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.)

1990 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 599-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. N. Prasad ◽  
Paul-Gerhard Gülz
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Acer Pseudoplatanus ◽  
Long Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Epicuticular Waxes ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Free Alcohol ◽  
Long Chain ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract The epicuticular waxes from the leaves of maples (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) contained hydrocarbons (6.9%), wax esters (5.5%), aldehydes (38.1%), primary alcohols (10.2%) and fatty acids (17.1%). In addition to these common wax lipids, benzyl acyl esters (2.1%) and triterpenoids were also present. β-Sitosterol, β-amyrin and 24-methylene-cycloartenol were found in the form of acetates (14.4%). β-Amyrin was also present as free alcohol (4.9%) and esterified with long chain fatty acids (~ 0.7%).

Chemical composition of epicuticular wax in cabbage plants grown in vitro

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Sutter
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Polar Compounds ◽  
Epicuticular Wax ◽  
Secondary Alcohols ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Polar Components ◽  
Chain Lengths ◽  
Intensity Characteristic

The chemical composition of epicuticular wax from cabbage plants grown in vitro was compared with that from plants grown in a greenhouse. There was a greater percentage of polar compounds (fatty acids, primary alcohols, aldehydes, and esters) and less alkanes and secondary alcohols in wax from cultured plants relative to those from greenhouse plants. Homologues in each class were more evenly distributed and had a greater range of chain lengths in wax from cultured plants. The high proportion of polar components in wax from cultured plants might be a factor in water loss when the plants are transferred to the greenhouse. Possible explanations for the altered wax composition in plants grown in vitro include increased relative humidity and decreased light intensity characteristic of in vitro conditions.

scholarly journals Purification, Characterization, and Potential Bacterial Wax Production Role of an NADPH-Dependent Fatty Aldehyde Reductase from Marinobacter aquaeolei VT8

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2758-2764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley D. Wahlen ◽  
Whitney S. Oswald ◽  
Lance C. Seefeldt ◽  
Brett M. Barney
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Aromatic Aldehydes ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Fatty Aldehyde ◽  
Aldehyde Reductase ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Marinobacter Aquaeolei ◽  
Long Chain

ABSTRACT Wax esters, ester-linked fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, are important energy storage compounds in select bacteria. The synthesis of wax esters from fatty acids is proposed to require the action of a four-enzyme pathway. An essential step in the pathway is the reduction of a fatty aldehyde to the corresponding fatty alcohol, although the enzyme responsible for catalyzing this reaction has yet to be identified in bacteria. We report here the purification and characterization of an enzyme from the wax ester-accumulating bacterium Marinobacter aquaeolei VT8, which is a proposed fatty aldehyde reductase in this pathway. The enzyme, a 57-kDa monomer, was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with the maltose binding protein on the N terminus and was purified to near homogeneity by using amylose affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was found to reduce a number of long-chain aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols coupled to the oxidation of NADPH. The highest specific activity was observed for the reduction of decanal (85 nmol decanal reduced/min/mg). Short-chain and aromatic aldehydes were not substrates. The enzyme showed no detectable catalysis of the reverse reaction, the oxidation of decanol by NADP+. The mechanism of the enzyme was probed with several site-specific chemical probes. The possible uses of this enzyme in the production of wax esters are discussed.

scholarly journals Neutral Lipid Biosynthesis in Engineered Escherichia coli: Jojoba Oil-Like Wax Esters and Fatty Acid Butyl Esters

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 1373-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Kalscheuer ◽  
Tim Stöveken ◽  
Heinrich Luftmann ◽  
Ursula Malkus ◽  
Rudolf Reichelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Neutral Lipids ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Wax Ester ◽  
Jojoba Oil ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Butyl Esters ◽  
Long Chain

ABSTRACT Wax esters are esters of long-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty alcohols which are of considerable commercial importance and are produced on a scale of 3 million tons per year. The oil from the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) is the main biological source of wax esters. Although it has a multitude of potential applications, the use of jojoba oil is restricted, due to its high price. In this study, we describe the establishment of heterologous wax ester biosynthesis in a recombinant Escherichia coli strain by coexpression of a fatty alcohol-producing bifunctional acyl-coenzyme A reductase from the jojoba plant and a bacterial wax ester synthase from Acinetobacter baylyi strain ADP1, catalyzing the esterification of fatty alcohols and coenzyme A thioesters of fatty acids. In the presence of oleate, jojoba oil-like wax esters such as palmityl oleate, palmityl palmitoleate, and oleyl oleate were produced, amounting to up to ca. 1% of the cellular dry weight. In addition to wax esters, fatty acid butyl esters were unexpectedly observed in the presence of oleate. The latter could be attributed to solvent residues of 1-butanol present in the medium component, Bacto tryptone. Neutral lipids produced in recombinant E. coli were accumulated as intracytoplasmic inclusions, demonstrating that the formation and structural integrity of bacterial lipid bodies do not require specific structural proteins. This is the first report on substantial biosynthesis and accumulation of neutral lipids in E. coli, which might open new perspectives for the biotechnological production of cheap jojoba oil equivalents from inexpensive resources employing recombinant microorganisms.

"Epicuticular Waxes" from Exine Material of Pine Pollen

1987 ◽  
Vol 42 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 858-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Niester ◽  
Paul-Gerhard Gülz ◽  
Rolf Wiermann
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Epicuticular Waxes ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Effective Mechanism ◽  
Pine Pollen ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Chain Lengths ◽  
Physical And Chemical

“Epicuticular waxes” from pine pollen and from pollen wings have been investigated. Various hydrocarbons, aldehydes, wax esters, free fatty acids and primary alcohols in the form of homologous series were identified. A noteworthy observation was the presence of a large number of unsaturated fatty acids. Although there were quantitative differences between the waxes from whole pollen and pollen wings, the distribution patterns of chain lengths of the individual compounds were very similar. It is demonstrated unequivocally, through the use of pollen wing material, that the waxes are components of the exine. It is postulated that the pollen waxes provide an additional effective mechanism for protection against the effects of the physical and chemical environment.

Epicuticular Leaf Wax of Cistus albanicus, Cistaceae

1987 ◽  
Vol 42 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 157-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Vogt ◽  
Paul-Gerhard Gülz
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Homologous Series ◽  
Epicuticular Wax ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Secondary Alcohols ◽  
Long Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Leaf Wax ◽  
Alcohol Fraction ◽  
Long Chain ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

The epicuticular wax of Cistus albanicus was investigated. Homologous series of alkanes, wax esters, alcohols and long chain fatty acids were identified. The alcohol fraction consisted of primary and most probably of secondary alcohols.

Tetra-and Pentacyclic Triterpenoids from Epicuticular Wax of Euphorbia cyparissias L., Euphorbiaceae

1989 ◽  
Vol 44 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 563-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert Hemmers ◽  
Paul-Gerhard Gülz ◽  
Franz-Josef Marner
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Free Fatty Acids ◽  
Epicuticular Wax ◽  
Wax Esters ◽  
Minor Components ◽  
Primary Alcohols ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenoids ◽  
Euphorbia Cyparissias

Abstract The epicuticular wax of Euphorbia cyparissias contains pentacyclic triterpenoids (34%) and primary alcohols (31%) as major com ponents. The major triterpenoids are triterpenols (23%) consisting of α-and β-amyrin, glutinol, 24-m ethylenecycloartenol and ψ-taraxasterol. The triter­ penones (10.5%) are com posed of taraxerone. a -and β-amyrinone, lupenone, glutinone, ψ-taraxasterone, β-fernenone and three further unidentified triterpenes. α-Amyrin was found esterified with hom ologous series of fatty acids. Minor components are alkanes, wax esters, aldehydes and free fatty acids.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document