Preliminary analysis of fatty acid chemistry of Kindbergia praelonga and Kindbergia stokesii (Brachytheciaceae)

Abstract

Moss species of the family Brachytheciaceae, Kindbergia praelonga (Hedw.) Ochyra and Kindbergia stokesii (Turn.) Ochyra, were preliminarily analysed for their fatty acid composition with the aim of studying the chemical relationship of these two entities. Fatty acid methyl esters were examined by GC and GC–MS in their methanol extracts. Thirteen fatty acids were identified. It is likely that the mosses are chemically distinguishable and should be treated as separate entities. However, additional chemical constituents of various moss samples, such as phenolic acids, their derivatives and flavonoids, must be also analyzed in order to support the re-examination of the relationship between these two species.

Keywords

• bryophytes
• mosses
• Kindbergia
• fatty acids
• chemotaxonomy