| Some wood rosins contain substances, called antioxidants, which protect the rosin from oxidation. Two rosins, Chinese gum rosin and Hercules' #3 rosin, were investigated for the presence of such substances. An antioxidant in Chinese wood rosin, ferulic acid, was quantitated in the rosin by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two components of #3 rosin were isolated and identified. Antioxidant assays were performed to determine the relative potencies of these compounds. One rosin component, 3-hydroxy-5-methoxystilbene, was found to be relatively inactive as an antioxidant. The other rosin component, kaempferol, was shown to be a potent antioxidant. |
