Premium
Identification of oleanolic acid from saponins present in lucerne (alfalfa) root
Author(s) -
West Leslie G.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740300516
Subject(s) - oleanolic acid , ursolic acid , betulinic acid , chemistry , chromatography , triterpene , biology , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , genetics
Oleanolic acid (3β‐hydroxy‐Δ 12 ‐oleanene‐28‐oic acid) was identified as a component of those lucerne (alfalfa) root saponins which complex with β‐sitosterol. The identity was confirmed by thin‐layer, gas‐liquid and high performance liquid chromatography of the free acid and methyl ester and/or acetyl methyl ester derivatives as compared to authentic reference compounds. Two isomers of oleanolic acid, namely ursolic and betulinic acids were not detected. This is the first report of the detection of this compound in lucerne.