Free and ester-bound triterpene alcohols and sterols in cellular subfractions of Calendula officinalis flowers

In the chromoplast fraction and in the chromoplast-free fraction, obtained from Calendula officinalis ligulate flowers, the contents of individual free and ester-bound triterpene alcohols and sterols as well as the fatty acid components of the ester form were determined. It was shown that all sterols and triterpene monols in both forms occur in the two subtractions investigated, whereas all diols are localized only in the chromoplast fraction. The compositions of the fatty acids esterifying monols and sterols were similar to those esterifying diols in the chromoplasts. However, the fatty acids esterifying extra-chromoplast monols and sterols were different. This result indicates that triterpene monol esters are substrates for the biosynthesis of 3-monoesters of diols.