2.2.2 Gaultherin
Synonyms Monotropitoside; Monotropitin; Methyl salicylate 2-glucoxyloside.
Biological Source It occurs in the leaves of the Canadian Wintergreen plant Gaultheria procumbens L., in Monotropa hypopitys L., belonging to family Ericaceae It is also found in the bark of Betula lenta L., family Betulaceae; in Spiraea ulmaria L., and S. filipendula L., family Rosaceae.
Geographical Source It grows in the hills of India, Burma and Ceylon.
Description It has a needle-shaped star formation look when crystallised from acetone (99%). It is soluble in water and alcohol.
Chemical Constituents When gaultherin is hydrolysed with 3% H2SO4, it forms one mole each of methyl salicylate, D-glucose and D-xylose as shown below:
However, gaultherin (or monotropitin) on being subjected to hydrolysis by the enzyme gaultherase gives rise to the production of one mole each of primeverose [i.e.; 6- (β-D-xyloside)-D glucose] a disaccharide and methyl salicylate.
