Z. F. A h m e d , F. M. H a m m o u d a , A. M. R i z k and G. M. W a s s e l T h e authentication as well as the chemical investigation (glucides and alkaloids) of the Egyptian Plantago species have been previously reported by the authors (A h m e d et al., 1965). The study of the lipids of plantain seeds has been a subject of interest to some investigators (P e n d s e and S i k i b h u s h a n , 1935; P e n d s e , 1937; K a s h i m o t o , 1955). T h e fixed oil of Plantago ovata has been used in the form of sodium psylliate injection (N.F. 1955; Extra Pharmacopoeia 1958), as a sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins and of internal hoemoroids that are not prolapsed o r thrombosed. T h e present work deals with the investigation of the fixed oils of the most common Egyptian Plantago species. Experimental and Results Material 'The seeds of the following species1 viz. P. notata, P. crypsoides, P. coronoprrs, P. cylindricn, P. albicnns and P. ovatn, were collected by the end of the flowering season in April, while thc seeds of the other two species viz. P. crassijolin and P, major were collected during the early srlnimer in June. Preparation of the Oil The seeds were, separately, dried at 60' C, powdered and exhausred with redistilled petroleum cther (b. p. 70-80' C) in a continuous extraction apparatus and the oil, in petroleum ether, was treated with Fuller's earth. The latter was removed by filtration and the solvent was removed by distillation. The residual oil was heated at 70' C in a vacuum oven to remove the last traces of solvent. The percentages of the oil, as well as the unsaponifiable matter and the total fatty acids were determined and the results obtained are listed in Table 1. A. Fatty Acids Gas-liquid chro~natography as well as the permanganate oxidation and spectrophotometric techniques were applied in the study of the fatty acids. The systematic identification o f the plants was carried out by Dr. K. H. B a t a n o u n y ,

The toxic triterpenes of Lantana camara L. were given particular attention. L o u w (1943) and B a r t o n et al. (1958) contributed to the elucidation of their structure. B a r t o n et al. (1954) stated that these constituents are variable and could not be traced in the plant growing in South Africa. For this reason it was deemed of interest to investigate the triterpenes of the plant grown in Egypt. Moreover, during the preliminary chemical screening, compounds with unsaturated lactone ring or keto group were revealed. This paper deals with the study of these two groups of compounds in the plant cultivated in Egypt. Experimental and Results Material The stems, leaves and flowers of Lantana camara L. cultivated in different localities of Egypt (Assiut, Cairo), were collected. The plant organs were air dried and then reduced to No. 40 powder.

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