DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO,WorldDrugTracker, helping millions, A 90 % paralysed man in action for you, I am suffering from transverse mylitis and bound to a wheel chair, With death on the horizon, nothing will not stop me except God................DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO Ph.D ( ICT, Mumbai) , INDIA 25Yrs Exp. in the feld of Organic Chemistry,Working for GLENMARK GENERICS at Navi Mumbai, INDIA. Serving chemists around the world. Helping them with websites on Chemistry.Million hits on google, world acclamation from industry, academia, drug authorities for websites, blogs and educational contribution

Friday 21 February 2014

NICOTINE .......FRIEND FOR ORGANIC SPECTROSCOPY



File:Nicotine3Dan2.gif



NICOTINE
(-)-NICOTINE is classified as super toxic. Probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg or a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 70 kg (150 lbs.) person. It may be assumed that ingestion of 40-60 mg of nicotine is lethal to humans. There is fundamental difference between acute toxicity from use of nicotine as insecticide or from ingestion, and chronic toxicity that may be caused by prolonged exposure to small doses as occurs in smoking. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and still-birth. Nicotine was found as a co-carcinogen in animals.

An alkaloid produced from tobacco. Colorless, oily liquid, combustible, highly toxic. When heated to decomposition (-)-NICOTINE(54-11-5) emits very toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 919].


Properties of Nicotine  


FormulaC10H14N2
Molecular Weight162,234 g.mol-1
Melting point-7,9 ° C
Boiling point247 ° C
Rotatory index (S)
aD = -168    at 20° C
Densityd=1,010
Refractive indexn=1,530
Comments    Pale yellow to dark brown liquid with a slight, fishy odor when warm.
    Insecticide.


1D 1H(+/-) Nicotine

spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine



2D [1H,1H]-TOCSY(+/-) Nicotine
spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine


1D 13C(+/-) Nicotine
spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine


1D DEPT90(+/-) Nicotine

spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine


1D DEPT135(+/-) Nicotine


spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine



2D [1H,13C]-HSQC(+/-) Nicotine


spectrum for (+/-) Nicotine

IR analysis



On this spectrum, we can notice several peaks, which characterise the different chemical functions of nicotine: 
·    Around 3400 cm-1, we can see the large peak of water (it deals with a liquid film).
·    Between 2970 and 2780 cm-1 : C-H stretching.
·    The peak at 1677 cm-1 : aromatic C=N double bond stretching.
·    The peak at 1691 cm-1 : aromatic C=C double bond stretching.
·    The peaks at 717 cm-1 and 904 cm-1 correspond to the out of plane bending of the C-H bond of the monosubstituted pyridinic cycle.

Mass spectrum analysis

We can notice the molecular peak at 162 m/z. However, the biggest peak is at 84 m/z. It corresponds to the fragmentation of nicotine. It deals with the pyrrolidine cycle, which has this molecular weight. During the electronic bombardment, the nicotine was split between the two cycles. 

1H-RMN analysis in CDCl3 (400MHz)



 Assignment   
Chemical shift (ppm)

A

8,543

B

8,487

C

7,711

D

7,255

E

3,237

F

3,087

G

2,307

J

2,200

K

2,160

L

1,958

M

1,820

N

1,725

Done with C-H   COSY      


13C-RMN analysis in CDCl3


AssignmentChemical shift (ppm)Integration
1149,45750
2
148,51
783
3138,80517
4134,86917
5123,54894
668,831000
756,96844
840,32783
935,23833
1022,60839

L-Nicotine
CAS:54-11-5





Nicotine biosynthesis

Thursday 20 February 2014

ANETHOLE




Anethole (Synonym Anise camphor, Monasirup)


1-Methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)-benzene
Formula:C10H12O
CAS#:104-46-1
MW:148.2
1-methoxy-4-propenylbenzene
4-propenylanisole
1-methoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzene
1-methoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzol
1-méthoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzène
1-メトキシ-4-[(E)-プロプ-1-エニル]ベンゼン
Melting Point: 23 ºC
Boiling Point: 234-237 ºC
Density: 0.9875 g/mL
Refractive Index: 1.5610
It has a monohydric phenolic ether function.
Occurrence It is the chief constituent of anise (anise fruit, aniseed) i.e., the dried ripe fruits of Pimpinella anisum Linn' (Family: Umbelliferae); star anise (star anise fruit, Chinese anise i.e., the dried ripe fruits of Illicium verum Hoop (Family: Magnoliaceae); and fennel (fennel fruits finnocchio), i.e., the dried ripe fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Mill (Family: Apiaceae). It is also found in Ocimum basilicum L. (Family: Lamiaceae)-Sweet Basil, Garden Basil; Pinus elliottii Engelm. (Family: Abiataceae)-Slash Pine; Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees (Family: Lauraceae)-sassafras; and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr & Perry (Family: Myrtaceae)-cloves, clavos.
Isolation It may be isolated from the volatile oils by first subjecting the oil to fractionation and then cooling the corresponding fraction to a very low temperature and recrystallization. However, it may also be obtained directly from the anethole-rich oils, such as: oil of anise, oil of fennel by simply chilling it to – 30°C in a deep freezer. Commercially, anethole may be synthesized in its purest form from anisole as shown below:




Anisole on reacting with propionaldehyde in the presence of HCl and H3PO4 yields an intermediate anisole-p-(1-chloropropane) which finally with pyridine yields anethole.
Characteristic Features It exists in two isomeric forms namely: trans-and cis-isomer, having physical parameters as stated below:

 anisole-p-(1-chloropropane)
It is a white crystalline substance with an intense sweet odour. It possesses a characteristic taste similar to anise fruit. It is practically soluble in most organic solvents but insoluble in water.
Formation of ‘Photoanethole’ (or p, p-dimethoxystilbene) Anethole on exposure to air (oxygen), light or heat undergoes structural modifications to yield photoanethole which is a viscid yellow coloured mass having a disagreeable taste and odour with a poor solubility in solvents. Perhaps the conversion of anethole to photoanethole lakes place via the formation of anisaldehyde as given below:

anisaldehyde
Identification
1. Anethole undergoes oxidation with K2Cr2O7 in two steps; first step-yields anisaldehyde (paramethoxy benzaldehyde), and second step-gives rise to para-methoxy benzoic acid (mp 184°C) as depicted below:

paramethoxy benzaldehyde
2. It gets condensed with maleic anhydride to yield a condensation product having mp 310°C as shown below:

maleic anhydride
3. It gives rise to the formation of nitroso derivative having mp 126°C.
Uses
1. It is used as a flavouring agent in perfumery particularly for soap and dentifrices.
2. It is also employed as a pharmaceutical and (flavour).
3. It finds its application as an imbedding material in microscopy.
4. It is employed as a flavouring agent in alcholic, non-aleoholic beverages and confectionaries.
5. It is used as a sensitizer in bleaching colours in colour photography.



Anethole, C10H12O, a major constituent of the oil of anise, has the 1H NMR spectrum shown.


1H NMR




//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

..........
///////////////////////////////////////////////

13C NMR

OXYGEN ATTACHED CARBON IS UPFIELD AT 158.7

..............
MS


,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

IR




......................
http://www.google.com/patents/EP0203386B1
  • Example 2. Anethole, (4-Propenylanisol), is extracted from Fennel, or Foeniculum Vulgare Mill. 1 kg of grated Fennel is extracted with 3 l of 95% ethanol at room temperature for 24 hrs. Ethanol is recovered by distillation under reduced pressure from the ethanol extract and a residue containing crude anethole is dissolved in 1 l of distilled water. This aqueous soluton is distilled under reduced pressure whereby Fennel oil is distilled over with steam. Crude Fennel oil is separated from water and extracted with an equal volume of diethyl ether. The ether extract is distilled under reduced pressure thereby recovering the diethyl ether and a residue of Fennel oil respectively. Yield of this crude Fennel oil is about 5.5%.
  • [0015]
    The resulting Fennel oil is fractionated with reflux on an oil bath. The fraction collected at a distilling temperature from 229-237°C is Anethol.
    overall yield:
    3.3%
    Anethole has the following chemical structure:
    Figure imgb0007
    Anethole has a light yellow color.
    specific gravity:
    at 25/25°C 0.983 - 0.987
    refractive index at 25°:
    1.588 - 1.561
    REFERENCES
    Seeman, J.I., Grassian, V.H., and Bernstein, E.R. 1988. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110:8542-8543.
    Lange, G., and Schultze, W. 1992. Org. Mass Spectrom. 27:481-488.
    Vella, A.J. 1992. Org. Mass Spectrom. 27:145-150.
    Baxendale, I.R., Lee, A.-L., and Ley, S.V. 2002. A polymer-supported iridium catalyst for the stereoselective isomerisation of double bonds. Syn. Lett. 3:516-518.
    Polkanov, M.A., Shapiro, I.O., Chernoplekova, V.A., and Shatenshtein, A.I. 1988. J. Org. Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.). 24:1123-1127.

    The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 50, p. 1797, 1985 DOI: 10.1021/jo00211a002
    Tetrahedron, 24, p. 2183, 1968 
    ................

    DEGRADATION














..........


Addis ababa ethiopia

Map of addis ababa.


 

 

 

 


 
 :Lion of Judah, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.JPG
 



 


 




 

 St Matthew's, Addis Ababa



 Founder Mariam Kinkladze & The Children of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


 

 
 
 




////////////

Tuesday 18 February 2014

ROSMARINIC ACID



Rosmarinic acid is a caffeic acid ester found in a variety of plants. It has antioxidant or medicinal properties.
(2''R'')-2-[[(2''E'')-3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propenyl]]oxy]-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid
  CAS NO 20283-92-5

History

Rosmarinic acid was first isolated and characterized in 1958 by two Italian chemists ML Scarpatti and G. Oriente from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).[2]

Natural occurrences

Rosmarinic acid accumulation is shown in hornworts, in the fern family Blechnaceae and in species of several orders of mono- and dicotyledonous angiosperms.[3]
It is found most notably in many Lamiaceae (dicotyledons in the order Lamiales), especially in the subfamily Nepetoideae.[4] It is found in species used commonly as culinary herbs such as Ocimum basilicum (basil), Ocimum tenuiflorum (holy basil), Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Origanum majorana (marjoram), Salvia officinalis (sage), thyme and peppermint[5] or in plants with medicinal properties such as common self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) or species in the genus Stachys.
It is also found in other Lamiales such as Heliotropium foertherianum, a plant in the family Boraginaceae.
It is also found in plants in the family Marantaceae (monocotyledons in the order Zingiberales)[3] such as species in the genera Maranta (Maranta leuconeuraMaranta depressa) and Thalia (Thalia geniculata).[6]
Rosmarinic acid and a rosmarinic acid 3′-O-β-D-glucoside can be found in Anthoceros agrestis, a hornwort (Anthocerotophyta).[7]

Biosynthesis

The biosyntheses of caffeoylshikimate, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid use 4-coumaroyl-CoA from the general phenylpropanoid pathway as hydroxycinnamoyl donor. The hydroxycinnamoyl acceptor substrate comes from the shikimate pathway: shikimic acid, quinic acid and hydroxyphenyllactic acid derived from l-tyrosine.[3] Thus, chemically, rosmarinic acid is an ester of caffeic acid with 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl lactic acid, but biologically, it is formed from 4-coumaroyl-4'-hydroxyphenyllactate.[8] Rosmarinate synthase is an enzyme that uses caffeoyl-CoA and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)lactate to produce CoA and rosmarinate. Hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase is also an enzyme involved in this biosynthesis.[9]
The enzymes involved in the biosynthesis pathway probably evolved from those used in the formation of chlorogenic and caffeoylshikimic acids.[3]
In plants, rosmarinic acid is supposed to act as a preformed constitutively accumulated defense compound.[10]

Clinical importance

Rosmarinic acid is a potential anxiolytic as it acts as a GABA transaminase inhibitor, more specifically on 4-aminobutyrate transaminase.[11]
The plant extract of Ocimum basilicum shows high levels of inhibition against MMP-13.
Rosmarinic acid also inhibits the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase via its cyclooxygenase-inhibiting properties.[12]
Senescent leaves of Heliotropium foertherianum (Boraginaceae) also known as octopus bush, a plant used in many Pacific islands as a traditional medicine to treat ciguatera fish poisoning, contain rosmarinic acid and derivatives, which are known for their antiviralantibacterialantioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[13] Rosmarinic acid may remove the ciguatoxins from their sites of action, as well as being an anti-inflammatory.
The use of rosmarinic acid has been shown to be effective in a mouse model of Japanese encephalitis.[14]
Unconjugated rosmarinic acid and its metabolites remain in the bloodstream of rats for enough time to reach the brain and decrease acetylcholinesterase activity.[15] Rosmarinic acid may be transported in the bloodstream bound to human serum albumin and lysozyme.[16]
Rosmarinic Acid
Figure US20130345307A1-20131226-C00003
Rosmarinic acid (alpha-o-caffeoyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl lactic acid) (“RA”) (Formula 3) is a naturally occurring hydroxylated compound and analogue of caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid). Caffeic acid and its derivatives, such as rosmarinic acid, carnosol, and carnosic acid—all of which manifest antioxidant activity—are thought to be the key constituents of rosemary. Notably, rosmarinic acid is a common component of some fern and hornwort species, as well as species of the Boraginaceae family and, particularly, the Lamiaceae family. The Lamiaceae family includes common culinary herbs such as basil, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, peppermint, perilla, sage, savory, thyme, and rosemary. Rosmarinic acid is well absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, and has been shown to augment prostaglandin E2 production and reduce leukotriene B4 production in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Rosmarinic acid is versatile, and used in food preservatives, cosmetics, and medical applications because of rosmarinic acid's antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Rosmarinic acid was identified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Oral supplementation with the polyphenol was an effective treatment for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, due to inhibition of the inflammatory response and the scavenging of reactive oxygen species exhibited by the compound. Antitumorigenic effects of a rosmarinic acid are due to free radical scavenging, and inflammatory response suppression. Rosmarinus officinalis extracts shows antimicrobial activity linked to their phenolic composition, (carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid). Rosmarinic acid shows also photoprotective effects against alterations induced by UVA exposure in a human keratinocyte cell lines. The application of a 0.3% rosmarinic acid emulsion on mild atopic dermatitis improves some symptoms of the disease including the erythema, transepidermal water loss, xerosis and pruritus.
Although rosmarinic acid per se may be used for the presently disclosed embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that derivatives of rosmarinic acid, e.g., esters, salts and other dermatologically effective derivatives of rosmarinic acid, may also exhibit similar functionality when used as concentrated solutions in lieu of rosmarinic acid, and such functional equivalents of rosmarinic acid are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed embodiments.
Other dermatological acids which may be used in the Ferulac peels of the presently disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, other AHAS, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, derivatives thereof, and other equivalent dermatological acids having similar properties.
Exfoliation can be beneficial for beautifying and rejuvenating the skin. Frequent exfoliation can help rid the skin of dead tissues, oil, dirt, as well as makeup residues. Exfoliating the skin helps provide glowing skin, and can also minimize or prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Exfoliating agents are believed to act by removing clogged residues from skin pores, and may even prevent acne


References[edit]

  1. Jump up^ MSDS for rosmarinic acid
  2. Jump up^ Isolamento costituzione e dell 'acido rosmarinico (dal rosmarinus off ). ML Scarpati, G. Oriente , Ric. Sci, 1958, volume 28, pages 2329-2333
  3. Jump up to:a b c d Evolution of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis. Petersen M, Abdullah Y, Benner J, Eberle D, Gehlen K, Hücherig S, Janiak V, Kim KH, Sander M, Weitzel C and Wolters S, Phytochemistry, Oct-Nov 2009, volume 70, issues 15-16, pages 1663-1679, doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.05.010
  4. Jump up^ Distribution and taxonomic implications of some phenolics in the family Lamiaceae determindes by ESR spectroscopy. J. A. Pedersen, Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 2000, volume 28, pages 229–253
  5. Jump up^ Clifford, M.N. Chlorogenic acids and other cinnamates. Nature, occurrence and dietary burden. J. Sci. Food. Agric. (79) 362-372, 1999
  6. Jump up^ Occurrence of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin in Marantaceae species. Yana Abdullah, Bernd Schneider and Maike Petersen, Phytochemistry Letters, 12 December 2008, Volume 1, Issue 4, Pages 199–203, doi:10.1016/j.phytol.2008.09.010
  7. Jump up^ Production of rosmarinic acid and a new rosmarinic acid 3′- O -β-D -glucoside in suspension cultures of the hornwort Anthoceros agrestis Paton. Katharina Vogelsang, Bernd Schneider and Maike Petersen, Planta, Volume 223, Number 2, 369-373, doi:10.1007/s00425-005-0089-8
  8. Jump up^ Rosmarinic acid biosynthesis pathway at bioxyx.org
  9. Jump up^ Two new enzymes of rosmarinic acid biosynthesis from cell cultures of Coleus blumei: hydroxyphenylpyruvate reductase and rosmarinic acid synthase. Petersen M and Alfermann AW, Z. Naturforsch. C: Biosci., 1988, volume 43, pages 501–504
  10. Jump up^ Petersen M, Simmonds MSJ (2003) Rosmarinic acid. Phytochemistry 61: 121-125
  11. Jump up^ Bioassay-guided fractionation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using an in vitro measure of GABA transaminase activity. Awad R, Muhammad A, Durst T, Trudeau VL and Arnason JT, Phytother Res., August 2009, volume 23, issue 8, pages 1075-1081, doi:10.1002/ptr.2712
  12. Jump up^ Lee HJ, Jeong YI, Lee TH, et al. (May 2007). "Rosmarinic acid inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression in murine dendritic cells". Biochem. Pharmacol. 73 (9): 1412–21.doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2006.12.018PMID 17229401.
  13. Jump up^ Protective effect of Heliotropium foertherianum (Boraginaceae) folk remedy and its active compound, rosmarinic acid, against a Pacific ciguatoxin. Rossi F, Jullian V, Pawlowiez R, Kumar-Roiné S, Haddad M, Darius HT, Gaertner-Mazouni N, Chinain M and Laurent D, J Ethnopharmacol., 30 August 2012, volume 143, issue 1, pages 33-40, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.05.045
  14. Jump up^ Swarup V, Ghosh J, Ghosh S, Saxena A, Basu A (September 2007). "Antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of rosmarinic acid in an experimental murine model of Japanese encephalitis".Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 51 (9): 3367–70. doi:10.1128/AAC.00041-07PMC 2043228PMID 17576830.
  15. Jump up^ Pedro L. V. Falé, Paulo J. Amorim Madeira, M. Helena Florêncio, Lia Ascensão and Maria Luísa M. Serralheiro. Function of Plectranthus barbatus herbal tea as neuronal acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Food Funct., 2011, 2, 130-136.
  16. Jump up^ Pedro L.V. Falé, Lia Ascensão, Maria L.M. Serralheiro, Parvez I. Haris. Interaction between Plectranthus barbatus herbal tea components and human serum albumin and lysozyme: Binding and activity studies. Spectroscopy, 2011, 26, 79-92.


ROSMARINIC ACID


  1. 1H NMR
1H spectrum
...


.
.


2........................... 13CNMR
spectrum for rosmarinic acid



.


HPLC






2D [1H,1H]-TOCSY
spectrum for rosmarinic acid
.



1D DEPT90
spectrum for rosmarinic acid

1D DEPT135

spectrum for rosmarinic acid



2D [1H,13C]-HSQC
spectrum for rosmarinic acid
.

.

2D [1H,13C]-HMBC


spectrum for rosmarinic acid

.

2D [1H,1H]-COSY


.spectrum for rosmarinic acid

..............
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1517-83822013005000061&script=sci_arttext&tlng=pt

Collection of crude extracts, fractions, and the pure compound rosmarinic acid
The aerial parts of the plant species R. officinalis were collected (3.5 kg) in the urban area of Patrocínio, located in the western region of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in May 2007. The geographical position of the town is latitude 18º17'00" S, longitude: 46º59'36" W; average height of 972 meters.
The aerial parts of the plant species P. crispum were collected (4 kg) from a traditional garden, located in the city of Guaxupé, located in southern region of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in October 2007. The geographical position of the town is latitude 21º18'20" S, longitude 46º42'41" W; average elevation of 830 meters.
Both plants were identified by Prof. Dr. Milton Groppo, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), and a voucher specimen was deposited in the herbarium of the Institution, labeled as SPRF 11911th plant species P. crispum and SPRF 11912th plant species R. officinalis.
The plants were dried and stabilized in circulating air oven at a temperature of about 40 ºC, followed by grinding to a powder in a knife mill (Marconi, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil). The powder resulting from each plant was subjected to exhaustive extraction by maceration with ethanol (Merck KgaA, Darmstadt, Germany)/water (96:4 v/v) at room temperature. A hydro solvent was employed, in order to obtain more polar substance(s). Three successive extractions were accomplished, with one-week interval between them. All the material resulting from the maceration process was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure at 60 ºC until complete elimination of the solvent, using a rotary evaporator (Marconi, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil).
The dried plant extracts were placed in an amber bottle covered with a lid and were stored in the refrigerator until the tests were conducted. Fractionation of the extract of R. officinalis (12.0 g) was performed by vacuum liquid chromatography (VCL-silica gel 60, Merck) using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol (all purchased from Merck), or mixtures of these solvents in increasing polarity gradient as eluent, which furnished seven fractions. A volume of two liters of solvent or solvent mixtures was necessary for the collection of each fraction. Fractions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were eluted with n-hexane, hexane/ethyl acetate (75:25 v/v), hexane/ethyl acetate (50:50 v/v), ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate/ ethanol (75:25 v/v), ethyl acetate/ ethanol (50:50 v/v), and ethanol, respectively, which yielded masses of 0.4, 2.4, 4.4, 1.8, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.5 g, respectively.
A yellowish solid substance, namely rosmarinic acid (designated RA), was isolated from the extraction. To this end, 200 g powdered leaves of the plant that had been submitted to extraction by maceration (room temperature) for seven days using water/acetic acid (85:15 v/v) were employed. The product of maceration was filtered, and the pH was adjusted to 10 by addition of a calcium hydroxide (Merck) solution. This gave a precipitate (27 g) that was identified by comparison with an authentic RA sample. The final identification was carried out by 1H and 13C NMR. The data were compared to those published for rosmarinic acid (Kuhnt et al., 1995), which confirmed that RA was actually rosmarinic acid.