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Identification of methyl salicylate as the principal volatile component in the methanol extract of root bark of Securidaca longepedunculata Fers
Author(s) -
Jayasekara T. K.,
Stevenson P. C.,
Belmain S. R.,
Farman D. I.,
Hall D. R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.314
Subject(s) - chemistry , methyl salicylate , bark (sound) , methanol , mass spectrum , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , gas chromatography , mass spectrometry , retention time , chromatography , organic chemistry , botany , physics , acoustics , biology
Securidaca longepedunculata Fers (Polygalaceae) is commonly used as a medicine in many parts of Africa and shows promise for protecting stored grain against insect pests. Analysis of a methanol extract of the root bark by gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) showed a major component accounting for over 90% of the volatile material. This was identified as methyl 2‐hydroxybenzoate (methyl salicylate) by comparison of the GC retention times and mass spectrum with those of synthetic standards. This conflicts with an earlier report that the major component is methyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate. Two minor components had mass spectra characteristic of 2‐hydroxybenzoate esters and were identified as methyl 2‐hydroxy‐6‐methoxybenzoate and its benzyl analogue, again conflicting with an earlier report. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.