Mulinane and Azorellane Diterpenoid Biomarkers by GC-MS from a Representative Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Species of the Andes

Extracts of bled resin from Azorella compacta, of the Azorelloideae family from the Andes (>4000 m), were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of the dominant compounds of the resin and its hydrogenation products were documented. The most abundant compounds were oxygenated diterpenoids, namely mulinadien-20-oic (Δ11,13 and Δ11,14) acids, azorell-13-en-20-oic acid, 13α,14β-dihydroxymulin-11-en-20-oic acid, and azorellanol, with a group of azorellenes and mulinadienes. The mass spectra of the novel diterpenoid hydrocarbons with the azorellane and mulinane skeletons were also presented. This study documents the molecular diversity of these diterpenoid classes, and could be of great utility for future organic geochemical, environmental, archeological, pharmaceutical, and forensic chemistry studies.