Pioneering Past and Bright of Impactful Research and Scholarly Achievements

“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 71 Phytochemical Investigation of Jamaican Capparis ferruginea This paper reports the first phytochemical investigation of the previously unstudied Jamaican plant Capparis ferruginea. Analysis revealed the presence of linolenic acid (1), lupeol (2) trans-β-carotene (3), and β-sitosterol. Chemical structures were elucidated via the comparison of NMR spectroscopic and other data with those reported in the literature. The presence of several glucosides of polyglycerides was inferred from spectral data however the compounds proved inseparable. Plants have been the source of food and medicinal compounds for many millennia and continue to supply some of mankind’s most basic needs. The phytochemical investigation of plants has yielded medicinal compounds ranging from analgesics to narcotics. Capparis ferruginea is a common shrub that grows to approximately 3–4 m and is found at altitudes of 0–150 m. The plant is frequently found in tropical dry forests and limestone rich areas of Jamaica. Capparis ferruginea, is locally known as “mustard shrub” or “mustard wood ” and produces small white flowers. The fact that there has been no full phytochemical analysis of C. ferruginea has prompted this investigation. This is also a part of our ongoing investigation of the natural products isolated from Jamaican plant populations. Additionally, we continue to seek new sources of interesting compound for biotransformation experiments. Although no folk medicinal uses of this plant have been reported, members of the Capparaceae family are known to produce various secondary metabolites including terpenes and flavonoids. The genus Capparis is no exception and produces some interesting compounds. To date over 150 publications have reported work on the genus, butmost areprimarily centeredonnutritivevalue, toxicity,weed control and genetic aspects of the plants. Only a few have described the isolation of terpenoids, such as long chain polyisoprenoid alcohols and β-carotene. Mature fruits of C. spinosa gave three (6S)-hydroxy- 3-oxoa-ionol glucosides and a prenyl glucoside. Flavonoids were discovered chiefly as their (glucosyl or rhamnoglucosyl) glycosides. Compounds found in C. spinosa and C. decidua were sterols, such as β-sitosterol and its glycosides, and stigmasterol, as well as betulin-28- acetate. Many alcoholic and aromatic glucosinolates have been identified from C. baducca, C. hastate, C. masaikai, C. odoratissima, C. grandis, Andrew Lamm 1 & Paul B. Reese 2 1 Facutly of Science & Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica 2 Faculty of Science & Technology, The University of the West Indies, Mona AndrewLamm