Nonsaponifiable fraction of Hula peat revealed the presence of friedelin, friedelan‐3β‐ol and a mixture of β‐sitosterol and β‐sitostanol.
Peats, lignites and coals of other countries yield in addition to the above mentioned compounds the following triterpenoids: α‐amyrin, allobetulin, allobetulone, betulin, friedelan‐3α‐ol, oxyallobetulin, oxyallobetulone, taraxerol and taraxerone.
The appearance of these compounds, the age of which is estimated to be millions of years, reflects the composition of the ancient plants and gives an idea on the coalification process. It might also be useful for the classification of different types of coal.