Stereospecific analysis of some cruciferae species

Results of stereospecific analysis of nine Cruciferae seed oils are presented. The major fatty acids in the oils investigated are nonrandomly distributed, not only between inner and outer positions, but also between sn-1 and sn-3 positions. When the positional data were plotted versus erucic acid content, a regular and characteristic distribution pattern for each fatty acid was obtained. Category I acids (saturated acids and acids with more than 18 carbon atoms) prefer either of the outer positions. Erucic acid, however, has a clear preference for the sn-3 position. When in the outer positions, Category II acids (unsaturated acids with 18 carbon atoms) as a rule prefer the sn-1 to the sn-3 position. This tendency increases with decreasing unsaturation.