Occurrence and sources of triterpenoid methyl ethers and acetates in sediments of the cross-river system, southeast Nigeria.
Pentacyclic triterpenol methyl ethers (PTMEs), germanicol methyl ether (miliacin), 3-methoxyfern-9(11)-ene (arundoin), beta-amyrin methyl ether (iso-sawamilletin), and 3-methoxytaraxer-14-ene (sawamilletin or crusgallin) were characterized in surface sediments of the Cross-River system using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Triterpenol esters (mainly alpha- and beta-amyrinyl acetates and hexanoates, and lupeyl acetate and hexanoate) were also found. These distinct compounds are useful for assessing diagenesis that can occur during river transport of organic detritus. Poaceae, mainly Gramineae and Elaeis guineensis higher plant species, are proposed as primary sources for the PTMEs and esters in the sediments. PTMEs are biomarkers of specific higher plant subspecies, while the triterpenol esters are indicators of early diagenetic alteration of higher plant detritus.
Oyo-Ita
Orok E
OE
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115 Calabar, Nigeria.
Ekpo
Bassey O
BO
Oros
Daniel R
DR
Simoneit
Bernd R T
BR