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Solvent systems commonly used in lichenology for chemotaxonomy identification

Solvent system A: benzene:dioxane:acetic acid (90:25:4; 238 mL)

Solvent system B: hexane:ethyl ether:formic acid (5:4:1; 200 mL)

Solvent system C: toluene:acetic acid (85:15; 240 mL)

solvent system.png

How to interpret the table below (from Culberson, C. F., & Kristinsson, H.-D. (1970). A standardized method for the identification of lichen products. Journal of Chromatography A, 46, 85–93. doi:10.1016/s0021-9673(00)83967-9)

Solvent A Rf
Solvent B Rf
Solvent C Rf
Compounds
Spot coloration with H2SO4 and heat, (*), pigmentation, color reactions, etc.
5-6
6
6
ergosterol
Brown*
5-6
6
6
ursolic
Bright lavender*; UV-
5-6
6
6
emodin
Yellowish pigment; K+; UV+++
1
1
1
Rhodocladonia
red pigment; K+
1
2-3
2
protocetraric
dark gray*; PD+
1
3
2
fumarprotocetraric acid
dark gray*; PD+
1
3
2
thamnolic acid
Brownish*; PD+
2
1
1-2
constictic
Orange-brown*; PD+
2
1-2
1
erythrin
Yellow*; C+
2
2
2
salazinic
Yellow*; K+, PD+
2
3
2
polyporic
Brownish pigment; pale*; K+
2
3
2
unknown with stictic
Reddish gray*
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