Chemical composition variability of grey alder wood (Alnus incana (L.) Moensch) from Jošanička river basin (Kopaonik, Serbia)

Abstract

Alnus incana (L.) Moensch, commonly known as grey alder, is a deciduous tree widely distributed in northern Europe that could represent a potential source of valuable „green― chemicals, including biologically active compounds. Alnus incana (Grey Alder or Speckled Alder) is a species of alder with a wide range across the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Alnus incana is a lightdemanding, fast-growing tree that grows well on poorer soils. Grey alder also posses high content of the bark extracts compared to the other deciduous species, that have been used in traditional medicine for treating bacterial and fungal infections. The most characteristic feature of the Alnus genus is the occurrence of large quantities of diarylheptanoids and their glycosides in different morphological parts of the tree. Alnus incana wood samples were collected from Jošanička river basin in Raška, Kopaonik (Serbia) from 25 years old normal wood in order to analyse chemical composition variability. The chemical composition and its variability with the tree height were investigated: contents of cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and ash were determined, as well as contents of lipophilic and hydrophilic extractives. The contents of acetyl and methoxyl functional groups, uronic acids, pentosans and inorganic substances were also determined.