Free sugars, cyclitols and organic acids in the cambial sap of Pinus sylvestris L., Picea Abies Karst. and Abies alba Mill

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Abstract
Samples of cambial sap from each of the three coniferous species Pinus sylvestris L., Picea Abies Karst. and Abies alba Mill. were taken at the time the trees were coming into bud and analysed for low molecular weight carbohydrates, cyclitols and organic acids. They all contained the same free sugars and cyclitols, but in markedly different proportions. Quantitative analyses were carried out for glucose, fructose, sucrose, raffinose, myo-inositol, D-inositol, pinitol, sequoyitol and coniferin. The three main components of the organic acid fractions-quinic acid, shikimic acid and malic acid—were determined quantitatively. The amount of quinic acid greatly exceeded the amount of all the other acids in all three species. 14C-labelled quinic acid applied to the cut ends of Pinus sylvestris needles was transported to the twig. There was no conversion of quinic acid to shikimic acid over short periods of time.