Xylocarpus moluccensis

Several non-volatile iridoid monoterpenes occur as glycosides and have been observed to have biological activity. For example, xylomolin, from the unripe fruits of Xylocarpus moluccensis Roem. (Meliaceae) has antifeedant activity against Spodoptera exempta an African armyworm at 100 ppm ( ) and crotepoxide from Croton macrostachys (Euphorbiaceae) possesses antifeedant activity against Spodoptera exempta (85). 

Xylomollin (41), a secoiridoid isolated from the bitter unripe fruit of Xylocarpus moluccensis (or more likely X. granatum) (Meliaceae), is an effective deterrent to feeding by the African army worm, Spodoptera exempta at the 100-ppm level in leaf disks and strongly inhibits respiration in rat liver mitochondria (Kubo and Nakanishi, 1977 Mabry and Gill, 1979 Nakanishi, 1977 Nakane et al., 1978). However, there is some doubt about the source of this compound reinvestigation failed to reveal the reported compounds (Jensen, 1991). 

Spectroscopic identification of members of the phragmalin group is fairly easy because of the presence of only three methyl groups, the characteristic singlets due to H-3 and H-30, and the orthoacetate carbon resonance at 8 119. The simplest member, phragmalin, (52) was found as an ester with nicotinic and acetic acids in E. caudatum (22), as a triacetate in Xylocarpus moluccensis (72) and as a series of esters in Chukrasia seed (62). 

Substance I Xylocarpus moluccensis Identified as methyl angolensate 200)... 

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