Phenylalkanoid glycosides (non-salicinoids) from wood chips of Salix triandra × dasyclados hybrid willow

Salix triandra (almond leaved willow) is an established crop, grown in coppicing regimes for basket-making materials. It is known as a source of non-salicinoid phenolic glycosides such as triandrin and salidroside. A spontaneous natural hybrid of S. triandra and S. dasyclados was subjected to metabolite profiling by high resolution LC-MS and 22 phenolic glycosides, including 18 that are new to the Salicaceae were identified. Structures were determined by HPLC isolation and NMR methods. The hybridisation process has introduced novel chemistry into the Salix phenolic glycoside palette, in particular the ability to generate disaccharide conjugates where the glycosyl group is further extended by a range of sugars including apiose, rhamnose, xylose and arabinose. Also of note is the appearance of chavicol derivatives, also not previously seen in Salix spp. The work demonstrates the plasticity of the phenolic glycoside biosynthetic pathway and the potential to improve established crops such as S. triandra and S. dasyclados, via high-value metabolites, for both basketry and bioenergy markets.