Chemical Changes in Cutin Obtained from Cuticles Isolated by the Zinc Chloride-Hydrochloric Acid Method

The composition of Malus pumila Mill. cutin from cuticles isolated using ZnCl 2 -HCl reagent has been compared to that isolated by an oxalate-enzymic method. Molecular changes were observed and included the loss of unsaturated components and hydroxyl groups. Such changes may alter the results of physiochemical investigations of cuticles.