Flavonols, leuco-anthocyanins, cinnamic acids, and alkaloids in dried leaves of some Asiatic and Malesian Simaroubaceae

Herbarium specimens of 13 species of the Simaroubaceae were investigated on phenolic compounds present in their hydrolised leaf extracts and on the presence of alkaloids (table 2). Leucoanthocyanins, myricetin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, as well as alkaloids were demonstrated to occur rather frequently in this family. The relationships between the Simaroubaceae and Rutaceae and the position of the genera Irvingia and Suriana are briefly discussed: the Simaroubaceae and Rutaceae seem to be closely related not only morphologically but also biochemically. Irvingia seems to fit rather well in the Simaroubaceae (except for the assumed lack of bitter principles). Suriana deviates much more from all other species investigated. This stimulates further research to check the recent proposal of Gutzwiller concerning the classification of this genus.