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Science 19 August 1977:
Vol. 197. no. 4305, pp. 767 - 769
DOI: 10.1126/science.197.4305.767
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Articles

Geochemistry and Thermolysis of Flavonoids

KARL J. NIKLAS 1 and DAVID E. GIANNASI 1

1 Harding Research Laboratory, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx 10458

The thermal and pH stability of selected flavonoids has been determined under simulated geologic conditions. Thermolytic rates and products for various regimes, as determined by gas chromatography—mass spectroscopy, indicate the potential usefulness of flavonoids as thermometric indicators in sediments. The parametric factors affecting flavonoid stability are used to geochemically characterize angiosperm "green leaves" (36 to 25 x 106 years old) from Succor Creek and indicate that these sediments have not experienced temperatures higher than 80°C or extreme pH shifts (beyond the range 6.3 to 7.2) during postdepositional maturation.

Submitted on February 17, 1977


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Flavonoid and Other Chemical Constituents of Fossil Miocene Celtis and Ulmus (Succor Creek Flora).
D. E. Giannasi (1977)
Science 197, 765-767
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