Arbutin and a Related Glucoside in Immature Pear Fruit

SUMMARY– Arbutin (p‐hydroxyphenyl‐β‐D‐glucoside) was separated from other phenols in an extract of immature fruit of Pyrus C.V. Kieffer by preparative paper chromatography and isolated as the penta‐acetyl derivative. A monoacetylarbutin (p‐hydroxyphenyl‐6‐0‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucoside) was identified in the same pear extract. In addition, arbutin was found in both mature and immature pears, but at much higher levels in the immature fruit.