Abstract Knotwood of softwood species is rich in secondary metabolites, especially lignans. These metabolites can be extracted with organic solvents, and are known to be valuable sources of natural bioactive molecules. Here, we examine the intraspecific variability of the yield and compositions of ethanol extracts from knotwood along the stems of three economically significant softwoods Abies alba, Picea abies and Pseudotsuga menziesii in view of further valorisation. Extractive yields from all three species were higher from knots at the base of the living crown than at the top. Lignans and terpenes were abundant in A. alba and P. abies extracts, and lignans were present in the highest concentrations at the crown base. Secoisolariciresinol and hydroxymatairesinol were the most abundant lignans in A. alba and P. abies, respectively. P. menziesii extract composition was more diverse than those of the other species, containing taxifolin, small amounts of the lignan nortrachelogenin, and smaller amounts of secoisolariciresinol. A cyclitol, D-pinitol, was found in high concentrations in extracts from knots at the very top of the crown, particularly in A. alba and P. menziesii. Lignans, taxifolin and D-pinitol are reported to have anti-tumour properties, and valuable food-supplement markets exist for these compounds suggesting possibilities of further valorisation.

中文翻译：

---

三种工业上重要的软木树种：冷杉、冷杉和 Pseudotsuga menziesii 茎中的乙醇结木提取物的数量和化学成分的种内变异性

摘要 针叶木结节木富含次生代谢产物，尤其是木脂素。这些代谢物可以用有机溶剂提取，并且已知是天然生物活性分子的宝贵来源。在这里，我们研究了从具有经济意义的三种针叶树冷杉、冷杉和 Pseudotsuga menziesii 的茎上从虎杖中提取的乙醇提取物的产量和成分的种内变异性，以期进一步增值。所有三个物种的提取产量都高于活冠底部的节比顶部的节。木脂素和萜烯在 A. alba 和 P. abies 提取物中含量丰富，而木脂素在冠基部的浓度最高。Secoisolariciresinol 和 hydroxymatairesinol 分别是 A. alba 和 P. abies 中最丰富的木脂素。P。menziesii 提取物的成分比其他物种更加多样化，含有紫杉叶素、少量的木酚素去甲鞘氨醇和少量的开环异落叶松树脂。在树冠顶端的节提取物中发现了高浓度的环醇，D-松醇，特别是在 A. alba 和 P. menziesii 中。据报道，木脂素、紫杉叶素和 D-松醇具有抗肿瘤特性，这些化合物存在有价值的食品补充剂市场，这表明它们有可能进一步升值。门泽西。据报道，木脂素、紫杉叶素和 D-松醇具有抗肿瘤特性，这些化合物存在有价值的食品补充剂市场，这表明它们有可能进一步升值。门泽西。据报道，木脂素、紫杉叶素和 D-松醇具有抗肿瘤特性，这些化合物存在有价值的食品补充剂市场，这表明它们有可能进一步升值。