Unusual triterpenoid fatty acyl ester components of archaeological birch bark tars

摘要

At least three series of previously unreported components of ancient birch bark tars have been identified by electron and chemical ionisation mass spectrometry as comprising betulin (lup-20(29)-en-3 beta,28-diol), lupa-2,20(29)-dien-28-ol and lupeol esterified to fatty acids. Since such components are not present in fresh bark or pyrolysates thereof it appears that they result from the intentional mixing of birch bark tar and animal fat in antiquity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [References: 17]