Cuticular waxes from the leaves and fruit capsules of eight Papaveraceae species

Cuticular waxes from leaves and fruit capsules of Papaver alpinum sensu Markgr., P. bracteatum Lindl., P. dubium L., P. nudicaule L., P. orientale L., P. rhoeas L., P. somniferum L., and Eschscholtzia californica Cham. were investigated. They consisted of n-alkanes (< 19%), alk-1-ylesters (< 18%), alk-2-ylesters (< 6%), alkanals (< 19%), secondary alkanols (21–71%, mainly nonacosan-10-ol), triglycerides (< 6%), primary alkanols (2–33%), alkanediols (2–23%, mainly isomeric nonacosanediols), alkanoic acids (< 8%), and alkaloids (< 12%). In addition, minor amounts of iso- and anteiso-alkanes, alkanoic acid methyl esters, esters of alkan-10-ols, benzyl- and phenyl-ethylalcohol, triterpenols and phytosterols, ketols, and ketones were detectable. The isomer composition of the secondary alkanols and their alkanediol, ketol, and ketone derivatives is used to deduce the probable sequence of steps in the respective biosynthetic pathways. Keywords: Papaver, Eschscholtzia, Papaveraceae, cuticular wax, secondary alkanols, biosynthesis.