382 IV. WAXES, HIGHER ALCOHOLS, ETC. 



and linoleic, an acid higher than Ci8 wns present. The only hydrocarbons 

 found were nonacosane and one with a longer chain length, while d-glucosid- 

 ylsitosterol and ursolic acid were likewise identified. The low content of 

 waxes as compared with that in pears and apples may explain the less 

 efficient protection afforded by the surface coating of the cherry. 



Power and Moore^*' have studied the composition of a closely allied 

 member of the Primus family, P. serotina Erhr. (wild black cherry). 

 These workers have reported the hydrocarbons hentriacontane, C31H64, 

 and pentatriacontane, CasHT-i, ceryl alcohol, and palmitic, stearic, linoleic, 

 isolinoleic, and ursolic acids. 



e'. Other Fruit Waxes: Grape pomace wax obtained from Concord 

 grapes {Vitis lahruscana Bailey) has been shown to contain^^^ nonacosane, 

 and hentriacontane, CH3(CH2)29CH3, sitosterol, and oleanolic acid, C30H48O3. 

 The last compound occurs in place of ursolic acid, which is present in fairly 

 large amounts in the cuticle waxes of the apple and pear. 



Cranberry wax is derived from the skins of the Vaccinium oxycocciis or 

 V. macrocarpum Alton, which are the usual types of edible cranberry (small 

 and large, respectively). The wax serves as a water repellent and is pres- 

 ent to the extent of 0.15%. Markley and Sando^^* have analyzed the 

 ether-soluble constituents of cranberry pomace. In addition to nonaco- 

 sane, C29H60, and hentriacontane, C31H64, the solid acids of the Cie to C2e 

 series were found, together with oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid. Free 

 ursolic acid was likewise identified. 



A number of citi-us waxes have been investigated. In general they are 

 soft and have low melting points. They may occur in the pulp as well as 

 in the peel. The constituents of the wax of the Florida grapefruit {Citrus 

 paradisi) include nonacosane, C29H60, and hentriacontane, C31H64, phytos- 

 terol, C28H47OH, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, and a C32 saturated 

 acid, a triterpene ketone, C30H52CO, and a new product, C9H6O3, called um- 

 belliferone.^^^ 



(i) Seed Waxes. Most seeds contain waxes in the hulls, but they are 

 found mixed with the triglyceride oils when the oil is expressed or ex- 

 tracted. The waxes occur in smaller quantities than do the triglycerides. 

 Sunflowerseed wax^^^ (Helianthus annuus L.) contains chiefly ceryl cero- 

 tate, while com wax from Zea mays L. is composed of hentriacontane, 

 myricyl tetracosanate and myricyl isobehenate, sitosterol, and stigmasterol. 



^2 F. B. Power and C. W. Moore, J. Chem. Soc, 97, 1099-1112 (1910); Proc. Chem. 

 Soc, 26, 124 (1910); Chem. Abst., 4, 2182 (1910). 



3«3K. S. Marklev, C. K. Sando, and S. B. Hendricks, J. Biol. Chem., 123, 641-654 

 (1938). 



'6^ K. S. Markley and C. E. Sando, J. Biol. Chem., 105, 643-653 (1934). 



^ K. S. Markley, E. K. Nelson, and M. S. Sherman, J. Biol. Chem., 118, 433-441 

 (1937). 



36« A. Barenther, Chem. Umschau Fette, Die, Wachse Harze, 30, 117-119 (1923); Chem. 

 Abst., ^7,2790(1923). 



