Determination of selected phytosterols and pentacyclic triterpenes in bark of Prunus africana
Abstract
Bark products of the tropical tree Prunus africana (Kalkman) are widely used against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Harvest, transport and processing of the bark have opened economic opportunities for indigenous peoples of different African countries. However, due to wild harvest, the species is listed as an endangered species in Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The overall goal of the project is to develop conservation strategies for sustainable use of Prunus africana for the benefit of small-scale farmer livelihood. More specifically, investigations on the genetic variability, phylogeographic patterns and reproductive biology of P. africana, will be carried out. The IFA-Tulln will be involved the analysis of geographic variation of active ingredients of the BPH extracts. In cooperation with the Austrian Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW), the differences in concentrations and profiles of active ingredients found across a range of provenances will be investigated. GC-MS and LC-MS based methods are developed for the determination of selected compounds including sterols (e.g. ß-sitosterol, ß-sitostenone) and pentacyclic triterpenoids (e.g. ursolic acid and friedelin). Individual bark samples will be analysed and the results will be grouped to evaluate to which degree the content of the target analytes depends on different environmental and genetic factors. The investigation of these correlations with geographical and genetic parameters is very important in supporting the selection of reproductive material for the planting of P. africana in the future.
Prunus Africana phytosterols metabolic profile chromatography mass sepctrometry
Publikationen
Project staff
Rainer Schuhmacher
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Chem. Dr.rer.nat. Rainer Schuhmacher
rainer.schuhmacher@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97307
BOKU Project Leader
01.10.2006 - 30.06.2009
Franz Berthiller
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Franz Berthiller
franz.berthiller@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-97371
Project Staff
01.10.2006 - 30.06.2009
BOKU partners
External partners
Bundesforschungs- und Ausbildungszentrum für Wald, Naturgefahren und Landschaft (BFW)
DDr. Thomas Geburek
partner