The constituents of the fruit of Ecballium elaterium / by Frederick B. Power and Charles W. Moore.

  • Frederick Belding Power
Date:
[1909?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The constituents of the fruit of Ecballium elaterium / by Frederick B. Power and Charles W. Moore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/14 page 1988
    The above-described phytosterol differs appreciably in some of its characters from the commonly-occurring substances of this class, as indicated, for example, by its higher melting point, its dextrorotation, and the fact that the acetyl derivative melts higher than the substance from which it was prepared. The aqueous alkaline solution of potassium salts from which the hydrocarbon and phytosterol had been removed by extraction with ether, as above described, was acidified, and again extracted with ether. The ethereal liquid obtained in this way contained a small amount of a nearly colourless, very sparingly soluble substance in suspension. This was collected on a filter, washed with ether, and crystallised from pyridine, when it formed small, glistening plates, melting at 258—260°. It appears to be related to ipuranol, C23H3S02(0H)2, as it gives the characteristic colour reactions of this substance, but the amount obtained was insufficient for analysis (compare Amer. J. Pharm., 1908, 80, 264, 576 ; Trans., 1908, 93, 907; this vol., p. 249). Examination of the Fatty Acids. The ethereal liquid, from which the above-described substance had been separated, was washed, dried, and the solvent removed. A quantity (12 grams) of fatty acids was thus obtained, which, when distilled under diminished pressure, passed over between 230—235°/ 10 mm. Eight grams of the mixed acids were converted into their lead salts, and the latter digested with ether, when the larger portion was dissolved. Both the soluble and insoluble portions were decomposed by hydrochloric acid, and the regenerated fatty acids purified by distillation under diminished pressure. The soluble portion of the lead salts yielded 6 grams of liquid acids, whilst the insoluble portion gave 1*5 grams of solid acids. The Liquid Acids.—These acids when distilled under diminished pressure passed over between 232° and 235°/15 mm. An analysis and a determination of the iodine and neutralisation values gave the following results : 0 1366 gave 0-3860 C02 and 0T370 H20. C = 77*l; 11=11*1. 0*4095 absorbed 0*8473 iodine. Iodine value = 206*9. 1*1120 neutralised 0*2211 KOH. Neutralisation value= 197*4. CiSH3202 requires C = 77*1; H = 11*4 per cent. Iodine value = 181*4 ; Neutralisation value = 200*4. Ci8H3o02 requires C = 77*7 ; H=10*8 per cent. Iodine value = 274*1 ; Neutralisation value = 201 *4. These results indicated that the liquid acids consisted chiefly of a mixture of linolic and linolenic acids, the former predominating.
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