The Isolation of Important Biosynthetic Intermediate; Presqualene Alcohol and Its Acetate Derivative from Antidesma Venosum

Abstract

Phytochemical investigations of the root bark of Antidesma venosum (Euphorbiaceae) afforded presqualene alcohol (1), presqualene acetate (2) together with friedelin; epifriedelanol, betulinic acid, toddaculin, α-tocopherol and pheophytin A. This is the first report of compound 2 to be isolated from the natural source. Furthermore, presqualene acetate (2) can be obtained in large amounts from this source, making it a good source of material for biosynthetic studies.