Distribution of Waxes in Guayule

Abstract
A hard cuticle wax, isolated from hot ethanolic extracts of comminuted guayule (Parthenium argentatum) tissue, var. 593, constitutes about 3-4% of the resin and at least 0.5% of the resinous rubber. Recrystallizations and adsorptions from acetone, benzene, or glacial acetic acid indicated an essentially unsaponified mixture of waxy substances of limited solubility and m.p. 76[degree]C. Occurrence of this waxy fraction appears limited to the phloem above ground and especially to the actively growing parts of the shrub, where it doubtless serves to depress transpiration during periods of moisture stress. Wax distr. in different portions of the plant remains constant for shrubs of the same age and var. harvested at different seasons.

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