Chemical characterization of the lipophilic fraction of giant reed (Arundo donax) fibres used for pulp and paper manufacturing

The chemical composition of lipophilic extractives from Arundo donax stems (including nodes and internodes), used for pulp and papermaking, was studied. The lipid fraction was extracted with acetone and redissolved in chloroform, and then fractionated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on aminopropyl-phase cartridges into four different fractions of increasing polarity. The total lipid extract and the resulting fractions were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, using short- and medium-length high-temperature capillary columns, respectively. The main compounds identified in the fibres included series of long-chain n-fatty acids, n-alkanes, n-aldehydes, n-alcohols, monoglycerides, free and esterified sterols and triterpenols, steryl glucosides, steroid hydrocarbons and steroid and triterpenoid ketones. Minor amounts of other compounds such as diglycerides, waxes and tocopherols were also identified among the lipids of A. donax.