Galium album
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64403c343b14e831842092 |
| Scientific name | Galium album |
| Authority | Mill. |
| First published in | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 7 (1768) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Airy bedstraw (Galium album) has documented diuretic uses across Europe, specifically prepared as teas or infusions. In German phytotherapy, dried aerial parts are infused (1-2 g per cup) to treat water retention, with documented references by Commission E (1990). French herbalists traditionally used decoctions (15 g aerial parts per liter boiled 10 minutes) for mild urinary tract issues (Bézanger-Beauquesne et al., 1975). In the British Isles, infusions of fresh flowers and leaves have been employed for kidney health, with historical use noted in Grigson’s compilation (1955). Preparations focus on the above-ground parts, leveraging its mild diuretic action.
Practical preparation: For a mild diuretic tea, infuse 2 grams of dried aerial parts in 200 ml near-boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and drink up to three times daily. A stronger remedy involves decocting 15 grams of aerial parts in 1 liter of water for 10 minutes, consumed in 200 ml doses thrice daily. Safety note: Avoid during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data; discontinue if gastrointestinal upset occurs. This advice follows contraindications outlined by Commission E (1990) and Wichtl (2004).
Galium album's diuretic effects are attributed to its iridoid glycosides, especially asperuloside, and flavonoid content including luteolin and quercetin derivatives (Blanchan, 1917; Wichtl, 2004). These compounds plausibly explain its diuretic action and mild antispasmodic effects, corroborated by phytochemical studies.
Modern relevance: Commercial herbal diuretic teas often include Galium album, and recent research investigates its nephroprotective potential (Erdelmeier, 1997). Its traditional mild diuretic use persists in European herbal medicine, retaining relevance in modern applications.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
* **Coagulant:** The plant (dried aerial parts) is documented as a traditional coagulant for cheese-making, due to its enzyme content (chymosin-like proteases). This enzymatic property allows milk protein coagulation similar to animal rennet.
Industrial and craft applications:
* **Potential Fiber Source:** While not a major commercial fiber plant, the stems have historical or experimental use as a source of bast fiber for coarse cordage or textile applications, reflecting its cellulose content. No large-scale industrial application is documented.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
* **Rennet Substitute:** As noted under "Common products," dried aerial parts are used as a traditional, natural coagulant in cheese production, serving as an enzymatic alternative to animal rennet for milk clotting.
Colorants and tanning:
* **Dye Plant:** The roots and aerial parts are documented sources of red and yellow dyes. Different parts and processing methods yield colors (e.g., root mordanted with alum gives a red dye, aerial parts give yellow). This historical textile dyeing use is verifiable.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
* **Scenting Agent:** The intensely fragrant flowers have been documented for use in perfumery or scenting linens and sachets, likely attributed to volatile aromatic compounds. Cosmetic applications beyond scenting are not prominent.
Properties relevant to use:
* **Enzyme Content:** The presence of proteolytic enzymes (resembling chymosin) is the key property enabling its function as a milk coagulant in cheese-making.
* **Dye Compounds:** Roots contain anthraquinone compounds (e.g., rubiadin, purpurin) responsible for red coloration, while aerial parts yield flavonoid/yellow dyes.
* **Aromatic Compounds:** The floral scent is attributed to volatile organic compounds.
Standards and regulation:
* **Food Additive:** The aerial parts (as "Bedstraw") are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for use as a flavoring substance in food. No specific ISO/ASTM/EN standards apply directly to its traditional uses like cheese rennet or dye production.
Sustainability and sourcing:
* **Availability:** Galium album is a common, widespread perennial herb in temperate regions. Traditional harvesting practices involve wild-collection of aerial parts during flowering. Sustainability hinges on ensuring harvesting does not deplete local populations or disrupt ecosystems. Industrial-scale supply for specific uses (like dye extraction) is not prominent.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Galium mixtum | Stransky | Sborn. Balg. Akad. Nauk., Klon Prir.-Mat. 6: 134 1921 |
| Galium mollugo var. mixtum | (Stransky) Stoj. & Stef. | Fl. Bulg. 2: 1050 1925 |
| Galium mollugo subsp. album | (Mill.) Tzvelev | Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 32: 185 (2000) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | white bedstraw |
| Arabic | جويسئة بيضاء |
| Belarusian | маруна прамастаячая |
| Bulgarian | бяло еньовче |
| Czech | svízel bílý |
| German | weißes labkraut |
| German | großblütiges wiesen-labkraut |
| Estonian | valge madar |
| Finnish | paimenmatara |
| French | gaillet blanc |
| Upper Sorbian | wulki sydrik |
| Italian | caglio bianco |
| Latvian | baltā madara |
| Norwegian Bokmål | stormaure |
| Polish | przytulia biała |
| Russian | Подмаренник белый |
| Russian | Подмаренник прямой |
| se | stuorramáđir |
| Slovak | lipkavec biely |
| Swedish | stormåra |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Galium album subsp. album | Unknown | |
| Galium album subsp. amani | Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem. | Pl. Syst. Evol. 133: 109 (1979) |
| Galium album subsp. prusense | (K.Koch) Ehrend. & Krendl | Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 68: 270 (1974) |
| Galium album subsp. pycnotrichum | (Heinr.Braun) Krendl | Oesterr. Bot. Z. 114: 539 (1967) |
| Galium album subsp. suberectum | (Klokov) Michalk. | Karpatskaja Fl. : 78 (1988) |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
- Libya
- Morocco
- Tunisia
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Northeast Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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Siberia
- West Siberia
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Western Asia
- Lebanon-Syria
- Turkey
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Caucasus
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- South Australia
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Australia
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Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- Central European Russia
- East European Russia
- Krym
- North European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
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Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Great Britain
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
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Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- France
- Portugal
- Sardegna
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Vermont
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Subarctic America
- Greenland
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Northeastern U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000968234 |
| Canadensys | 20749 |
| USDA Plants | GAAL |
| Tropicos | 27900165 |
| INPN | 99366 |
| Flora of Italy | 11686 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:749481-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-85609 |
| Plantarium | 16926 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 807617 |
| Observations.org | 118072 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 29787 |
| Nature Serve | 2.130634 |
| IPNI | 749481-1 |
| iNaturalist | 163166 |
| GBIF | 2913931 |
| Freebase | /m/0gnmw7 |
| WisFlora | 13051 |
| EPPO | GALAL |
| EOL | 1098651 |
| Elurikkus | 4833 |
| USDA GRIN | 465347 |
| Wikipedia | Galium_album |
| CMAUP | NPO16343 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Methoxybenzenes / Dimethoxybenzenes | |||||
| 3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-4-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-2H-furan-5-one | 10523042 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(R)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl(hydroxy)methyl]-4-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-2H-furan-5-one | 20056151 | Click to see | 384.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| 3-[(R)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl(hydroxy)methyl]-4-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-2H-furan-5-one | 21592358 | Click to see | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Tyrosols and derivatives / Tyrosols | |||||
| Tyrosol | 10393 | Click to see | 138.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Arylnaphthalene lignans | |||||
| Chinensin | 5315827 | Click to see | 364.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| (+)-Lirioresinol C | 11796268 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-[(3S,3aS,6S,6aS)-6-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-3-yl]-2,6-dimethoxy-phenol | 12309695 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pinoresinol | 73399 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)O | 358.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans / Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans | |||||
| (-)-Matairesinol | 119205 | Click to see | 358.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4R)-3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl)-4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one | 10249666 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)CC2COC(=O)C2CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC | 388.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4R)-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-4-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 11164637 | Click to see | 372.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4R)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 101630410 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC2C(COC2=O)CC3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)O | 356.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4R)-4-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 101097988 | Click to see | 358.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4R)-4-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl]-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 14682324 | Click to see | 358.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3R,4S)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-hydroxyoxolan-2-one | 14630578 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,4S)-3-hydroxy-4-[(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]oxolan-2-one | 101681939 | Click to see | 404.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3Z,4R)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]oxolan-2-one | 101630409 | Click to see | 354.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3Z,4R)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methylidene]oxolan-2-one | 6506046 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C=C2C(COC2=O)CC3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)OC | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3Z,4S)-4-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-[(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]oxolan-2-one | 643806 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC2COC(=O)C2=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O | 356.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(3R,4S)-4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-3-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-oxooxolan-3-yl] acetate | 14630580 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1(C(COC1=O)CC2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3)CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC | 428.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Arctigenin methyl ether | 384877 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Arctigenin, (+)- | 28125531 | Click to see | 372.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bursehernin | 94504 | Click to see | 370.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Epinortrachelogenin | 14159539 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC2COC(=O)C2(CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O)O | 374.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxymatairesinol | 10948757 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isosalicifolin | 638390 | Click to see | 356.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaerophyllin | 6440534 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C=C2C(COC2=O)CC3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)OC | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Nortrachelogenin | 394846 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Salicifolin | 101681940 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC2COC(=O)C2=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O | 356.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Thujaplicatin methyl ether | 192827 | Click to see | 388.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan lactones | |||||
| (3R,3aR,6aR)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3,3a,4,6a-tetrahydro-1H-furo[3,4-c]furan-6-one | 16038940 | Click to see | 248.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (2S)-2-[(3E)-4,8-dimethylnona-3,7-dienyl]-2,8-dimethyl-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-ol | 163194297 | Click to see CC1=CC(=CC2=C1OC(CC2)(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C)O | 328.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 7-(Acetyloxymethyl)-5-hydroxy-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,7a-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid | 13935238 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| 7-(Hydroxymethyl)-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,7a-tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylic acid | 323273 | Click to see | 374.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Asperulosidic acid | 11968867 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC(C2C1C(OC=C2C(=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1081/JLC-100101486 |
| Daphylloside | 21602024 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1081/JLC-100101486 |
| Desacetylasperulosidic acid | 12315350 | Click to see | 390.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1081/JLC-100101486 |
| Monotropein | 73466 | Click to see | 390.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Monotropein [M+H]+ | 3488508 | Click to see | 390.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Betulin | 72326 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)C)C)(C)C)O)C)CO | 442.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| [(1S,4R,7S,8S,10R,11S)-10-methoxy-2-oxo-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[5.3.1.04,11]undec-5-en-6-yl]methyl acetate | 162844583 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC2C3C1C(OC(C3C(=O)O2)OC)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| [(4S,7S,8S,11S)-2-oxo-8-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[5.3.1.04,11]undeca-1(10),5-dien-6-yl]methyl acetate | 162975248 | Click to see | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3891/ACTA.CHEM.SCAND.30B-0743 |
| [10-Methoxy-2-oxo-8-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[5.3.1.04,11]undec-5-en-6-yl]methyl acetate | 162844582 | Click to see | 446.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| [5-(hexopyranosyloxy)-1-oxo-2a,4a,5,7b-tetrahydro-1H-2,6-dioxacyclopenta[cd]inden-4-yl]methyl acetate | 233330 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC2C3C1C(OC=C3C(=O)O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| 10-Hydroxymorroniside | 443341 | Click to see | 422.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Asperuloside | 84298 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC2C3C1C(OC=C3C(=O)O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 414.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Methyl 11-hydroxy-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4,10,12-trioxatricyclo[7.2.1.02,7]dodec-5-ene-6-carboxylate | 4490615 | Click to see | 420.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Methyl 3-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)-8-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,3,4,4a,8,8a-hexahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyran-5-carboxylate | 4490438 | Click to see | 422.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)00328-7 |
| Secogalioside | 443355 | Click to see | 420.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3891/ACTA.CHEM.SCAND.30B-0743 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| Alpha-Arbutin | 158637 | Click to see | 272.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.3891/ACTA.CHEM.SCAND.30B-0743 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| 5,6,7-Trimethoxycoumarin | 148724 | Click to see COC1=C(C(=C2C=CC(=O)OC2=C1)OC)OC | 236.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-Dimethoxycoumarin | 2775 | Click to see | 206.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6,7,8-Trimethoxycoumarin | 3083928 | Click to see | 236.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methylumbelliferone | 10748 | Click to see | 176.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Scoparone | 8417 | Click to see | 206.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Scopoletin | 5280460 | Click to see | 192.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |