The new isocaryophyllene derivatives were first detected in the birch vegetative buds. The structure of 6-hydroxyisocaryophyllene [(1R,4Z, 6R, 9S)-8-methylene-11,11-dimethylbicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene-6-ol] isolated from the Betula pendula Roth. birch buds was determined by NMR spectroscopy.  The structures of caryophyllenic acid and isocaryphyllenic acid isolated from the Betula grandifolia Litv., B. albo-sinensis Burk., B. fusca Pall.ex Georg, B. obscura A. Kotula, B. litwinowii Doluch., B. hallii Howell, B. grandifolia Litv. birch buds was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The physico-chemical characteristics and NMR data of 6-hydroxyisocaryophyllene, epoxide of 6-hydroxyisocaryophyllene and all the isolated acids are given.  The gas chromatographic retention indices of all identified compounds were determined.

The article compares mechanical parameters, group chemical compositions, iron content, lipid compositions before and after saponification, moisture, bulk density in three parts of Betula pubescens Ehrh. birch wooden parts: sapwood, false heartwood, false heartwood border. The strength properties of the false heartwood are worse than those of sapwood. The border of the false core is sometimes stronger than that of other parts. Evaluation is carried out in terms of hardness, flexural strength and compression strength. False heartwood, and even more so its border, contain more extractives extracted by ethanol, water, alkali solution, methylene chloride and less iron. The content of other components: cellulose, lignin, other polysaccharides differs, but less significantly. False heartwood border is heavier than the other wooden parts. Moisture content of the various parts decreases in the following order: false heartwood border, false heartwood, sapwood. The composition of the extractives extracted by methylene chloride is different in different parts. The composition is determined by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry before and after saponification of esters. Differences in sterols are given. An increased content of monoterpene alcohols and arylheptanoids is observed at the border. Differences in the properties of different wooden parts of a tree are explained by different amount and composition of extractives.

The article is concerned to the study and comparison of the extractive substances chemical composition of typical saprotrophic mushrooms that grow in the forests of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region: Flammulina velutipes, Hypholoma capnoides, Armillaria borealis, Armillaria cepistipes. The article analyzed and compared the chemical composition of low-molecular compounds of caps and legs separately. The composition of heavy metals was compared: cadmium, mercury, iron. The content of heavy metals in the studied fungi was compared with those studied earlier (Lentinula edodes and Pholiota squarrosa). Cadmium and mercury are found mainly in the caps of autumn mushrooms. The composition of fatty acids, sterols, carbohydrates and sugar alcohols in various parts of mushrooms (stems and caps) was determined and compared. It was revealed that glycerin is presented in all types of mushrooms and is contained in large quantities in the stems and caps of F. velutipes. The qualitative composition of sugar alcohols is approximately the same in all mushrooms, but the quantitative composition has specific differences. Sugar alcohol threitol is contained in Armillaria.

The article is devoted to comparing the chemical composition of extractive substances of the legs and caps of two types of saprotrophic fungi Lentinula edodes and Pholiota squarrosa. The content of metals: mercury, cadmium and iron in different parts of the mushrooms is compared in the article. The amount of substances recovered by various solvents is determined. The amount of ester-soluble substances is more found in caps than in stems. Water soluble substances are more extracted from P. squarrosa. Isopropyl alcohol extracts more substances from shiitake. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of neutral compounds, acids, and compounds of isopropanol extract was carried out by chromatography-mass spectrometry. Isopropyl alcohol mainly extracts disaccharides and sugar alcohols. It was revealed that the main sugar alcohols of L. edodes are mannitol and ribitol. Sugar alcohols content differs in different parts. Ribitol predominates in the stems. Shiitake caps contain mannitol and ribitol in equal amounts. Sugar alcohols are present in trace amounts in P. squarrosa, but trehalose (disaccharide) is the main component of the alcoholic extract. The compositions of fatty acids, sterols, carbohydrates and sugar alcohols in various parts of mushrooms were determined. Ergosterol predominates among sterols, while linoleic acid prevails among acids. Caps have a more diverse sterol composition. Both types of fungi contain polysaccharides consisting of glucose residues. It grows in P. squarrosa; mercury and cadmium accumulate in vivo. Wood-based shiitake grown in a greenhouse contains almost no mercury and cadmium, but contains iron. The amount of cadmium and mercury in the caps is greater than the stems. Metals are not extracted with isopropyl alcohol and are practically not extracted with hot water.

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