Phenolic extractives in the trunk of Toxicodendron vernicifluum: chemical characteristics, contents and radial distribution

Abstract

Phenolic extractives in the trunk of Toxicodendron vernicifluum (syn. Rhus verniciflua) were investigated. Seventeen compounds, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, (−)-fisetinidol-4β-ol, (−)-fisetinidol-4α-ol, 2-benzyl-2,6,3′,4′-tetrahydroxycoumaran-3-one, (−)-fustin, 1,2,3,6-Tetra-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, (−)-epifustin, (+)-taxifolin, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, (−)-garbanzol, (−)-fustin-3-O-gallate, (−)-epifustin-3-O-gallate, fisetin, sulfuretin, quercetin and butein, were identified from the heartwood extractives. It was found that only (+)-taxifolin which had 5,7-dihydroxy A-ring possessed a 3R configuration although other flavonoids which had 7-hydroxy A-ring possessed a 3S configuration. Quantitative analysis revealed that the total phenolic contents were much higher in the heartwood (5–7 wt%) than in the sapwood and bark (1–2 wt%), and (−)-fustin was the most abundant extractive in the heartwood (1.4–2.4 wt%). For the radial distribution of phenolic extractives, it was generally found that their content was lowest in the sapwood, increased to the highest in the outer heartwood, and then decreased in the inner heartwood.