By C. D . B a u l a t a b a d , R . R A n k a l a g i and K A . D e s a i *
The fatty acid composition of Cupressus semperuirenr, Cupressus torulosa, Cupressus finebris, Cupmsus lusitanica, Cupressus macrocarpa and Cupressus arizonica seed oils has been determined.
I n t r o d u c t i o n
The Cupressaceae group has been treated until recently as a separate subfamily of pinaceae, but several fundamental differences warrant its recognition as a separate family. It is distinguished from pinaceae and taxodiaceae in morphological characters. The cupressaceae has less than a dozen genera I.
The present investigation in this family was undertaken with a view that it might contain some unusual fatty acids as no work has been done on this family except one species Cup ressus arizonica .
The fatty acid composition of six unknown species along with the one reported species (C. arizonica) has been studied.
Cupressus sempervirens Linn.
The leaves yield essential oil (20/0) containing 80% apinene. The essential oil from leaves has vermifuge properties. The wood and fruit are astringent. The plant has anthelmintic action'.
Cupressus torulosa is a tree with drooping branchlets having 50 feet height. The leaves are somewhat acute with bright or bluish green colour. This is found in Himalayas '.
Cupressus cashmeriana is a tree drooping branchlets. This is usually found in Kashmir].
Cupressusfinebris is a tree with 60 feet height similar to Cupressus cashmeriana. The leaves are acute, light green in colour. This is usually found in China'.
Cupressus lusitanica is a tree with 50 feet height. The leaves are acute with glaucous green colour I .
Cupressus macrocarpa is a tree with 40 feet height. The leaves are obtuse, dark or bright green. This is found in California '. This is the first report on the component acids of the above oil seeds.
Cupressus arizonica is a tree with 40 feet height. The leaves are pale or glaucous green in colour.