Polyploid Complexes Within the Genus Galium

Anthraquinones of the shikimate-glutarate-mevalonate pathway occur generally in the roots of Galium species. In order to use this chemical character of the genus Galium on the level of polyploid complexes, a chemical analysis has been carried out of anthraquinones which accumulate in the roots of cytologically defined Galium album Mill. (2n = 44). Fractionation of anthraquinone mixtures was performed by applying successive extractions with solvents of the eluotropic sequence and aqueous alkaline solutions of increasing pH. Single anthraquinones were obtained by means of preparative thin-layer chromatography. The identification of ten isolated compounds is described on the basis of chromatographic, chemical and spectroscopical data. Four of the described anthraquinones are new structures.