Cutan (polymer)
Cutan is one of two biopolymers which occur in the cuticle of some plants. The other and better-known polymer is cutin. Cutan is believed to be a hydrocarbon polymer, whereas cutin is a polyester, but the structure and synthesis of cutan are not yet fully understood. Cutan is not present in as many plants as once thought; for instance it is absent in "Ginkgo". Cutan was first detected as a non-saponifiable component, resistant to de-esterification by alkaline hydrolysis, that increases in amount in cuticles of some species such as "Clivia miniata" as they reach maturity , apparently replacing the cutin secreted in the early stages of cuticle development. Evidence that cutan is a hydrocarbon polymer comes from the fact that its flash pyrolysis products are a characteristic homologous series of paired alkanes and alkenes (Nip "et al." 1986) Its preservation potential is much greater than that of cutin.