Composition of the Aliphatic Portion

2 Chemical Composition and Structure of the Polymer 6.4.3.2.1 Composition of the Aliphatic Portion 

Chain length Trivial name Systematic name 

The advent of combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry has made the characterization of the aliphatic portion of the suberin polymer relatively straightforward. It is important that the initial physical isolation of the suberized tissue be done with care as this step determines the degree of suberin-enrichment in the final fraction (235, 243). Treatment of the tissue with hydrolytic enzymes, such as pectinase and cellulase, may remove a considerable portion of the cell wall carbohydrate. Strongly acidic, basic, or oxidizing conditions should be avoided to prevent chemical changes in the suberin components. The final residue is dried. 

It has been reported that the major aliphatic monomers of suberin polymers from several tree barks are fatty acids with both a - and mid-chain oxygenation (192). These monomers include 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, both of which are common components of cutin polymers (232). For example, 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid was reported to be the major monomer (31%) of Quercus ilex bark suberin and 

Component Monomer as of aliphatic component Chain-length composition  

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