Characterization of bioactive and bioenergy components from fresh walnut (Juglans regia) leaf

Abstract

Walnut (Juglans regia) is an important economic tree specie, and has unique aroma in its leaf. In order to investigate the bioactive and bioenergy characteristic of compounds in ethanol and benzene extracts from fresh walnut leaf by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that ethanol and benzene extracst fresh walnut leaf contain abundant alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, quinones, phenols, aldehydes, acids, ketones, alkanes, esterscompounds, especially including dl-.alpha.-Tocopherol, juglone, squalene andlupeol, which are important bioactive components. The functional analytic result suggested that compounds from fresh walnut leaf extracts can be developed into raw materials for industries of biofuel, biomedicine, cosmetic, spices and food additive. The ethanol extract of fresh walnut leaf is more rich in biomedicine and food additives components, such as ketones, alkanes, aldehydes, amines, and acides compounds. The benzene extract of fresh walnut leaf is more rich in biofuels, spices, and cosmetic components, such as phenols, aromatic hydrocarbons, olefines and quinones compounds.