Moronic Acid, a Simple Triterpenoid Keto Acid with Antimicrobial Activity Isolated from Ozoroa mucronata¹

Abstract

Root bark extract of the East African medicinal plant Ozoroa mucronata showed antimicrobial activity against Gram–positive bacteria. Fractionation of the extract following the results of bioassay led to isolation of the active factor C 30 H 46 O 3 . Spectroscopic studies indicated the olean–18–ene keto acid structure 1 („moronic acid”), isolated for the first time in nature. The relatively simple structure of this bioactive triterpene is noted. Key Word Index Ozoroa mucronata - Anacardiaceae - Moronic Acid ;Oleanene Keto Acid - Antibacterial