ARBUTIN AND SUCROSE IN THE LEAVES OF THE RESURRECTION PLANT MYROTHAMNUS FLABELLIFOLIA

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0031-9422(91)85098-K

Forty-two per cent of the desiccated leaves of Myrothamnus flabellifolia was extracted in methanol, and contained two major components, sucrose (30percent) and arbutin (65percent).Its arbutin content can probably explain the purported medicinal properties of this plant.By analogy with other desiccation-tolerant organisms, sucrose and arbutin may be partially responsible for the extreme resistance of Myrothamnus to environmental stress.Key Word Index - Myrothamnus flabellifolia; Myrothamnaceae; resurrection plant; arbutin; sucrose.