A comparative study of the lipids of globule membrane and fat core and of the milk serum of cows

Nine samples of fresh raw cow's milk were separated into fat globules and milk serum by centrifugation. After destabilization by freezing and thawing, the milk fat globules were resolved into membranes and fat cores. The lipid composition of these structures was compared to that of the surrounding milk serum. Of the total milk fat, 95–98% was in the fat cores, 0.5–1% in the globule membranes and the rest (1.5–4%) in the milk serum. The fat cores contained 88–93% triglyceride, 5.2–9.8% diglyceride, 1.5–7.3% free fatty acid and 0.2–0.4% cholesterol, but no phospholipid. The lipids of the membrane contained 21–44% phospholipid, made up of about equal proportions of phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, and sphingomyelin. The other lipids of the membrane (56–79%) consisted of 83–88% triglyceride, 5.1–10.7% diglyceride, 1–5.1% free fatty acid and 0.4–1.9% cholesterol. The milk serum contained 30–45% phospholipid divided about equally among phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin. The rest (55–70%) of the milk serum lipids was made up of 71–83% triglycerides, 4.3–10.1% diglycerides, 8.7–15.7% free fatty acids, and 1.2–8.4% cholesterol. Corresponding phospholipid classes of milk serum and globule membranes had identical fatty acid compositions. The triglycerides and diglycerides of the globule membranes possessed increased proportions of palmitic and stearic acids in comparison to the glycerides of the fat cores. Taken in part from a PhD thesis submitted by T. C. Huang to Queen's University, Kingston, Canada in April, 1965. Presented in part at the 47th Canadian Chemical Conference and Exhibition held in Kingston, Canada, June 1–3, 1964.     

Positional analysis of triglycerides and phospholipids rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

Four sources of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) differing in their chemical structure (triglycerides or phospholipids) and in their origin (tuna triglycerides, fungal triglycerides, egg phospholipids, and pig brain phospholipids) were analyzed to determine the distribution of the component fatty acids within the molecule. Lipase and phospholipase A₂ hydrolysis was performed to obtain 2-monoacylglycerols and lysophospholipids, respectively, which allowed us to determine the distribution of fatty acids between the sn-2 and sn-1,3 positions of triglycerides or between the sn-1 and sn-2 position of phospholipids. Fatty acids in the LCP sources analyzed were not randomly distributed. In tuna triglycerides, half of the total amount of 22∶6n−3 was located at the sn-2 position (49.52%). In fungal triglycerides, 16∶0 and 18∶0 were esterified to the sn-1,3 (92.22% and 91.91%, respectively) 18∶1 and 18∶2 to the sn-2 position (59.77% and 62.62%, respectively), and 45% of 20∶3n−6 and only 21.64% of 20∶4n−6 were found at the sn-2 position. In the lipid sources containing phospholipids, LCP were mainly esterified to the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction. In egg phospholipids, most of 20∶4n−6 (5.50%, sn-2 vs. 0.91%, sn-1) and 22∶6n−3 (2.89 vs. 0.28%) were located at the sn-2 position. In pig brain phospholipids, 22∶6n−3 was also esterified to the sn-2 (13.20 vs. 0.27%), whereas 20∶4n−6 was distributed between the two positions (12.35 vs. 5.86%). These results show a different fatty acid composition and distribution of dietary LCP sources, which may affect the absorption, distribution, and tissue uptake of LCP, and should be taken into account when supplementing infant formulas.     

Rat liver chromatin phospholipids

To shed light on the question whether the phospholipids present in chromatin are native or are due to contamination from nuclear membranes, we labeled the phospholipids of isolated nuclei and determined the amount of phospholipids (PL) and PL fatty acid composition in nuclei and chromatin. The hepatocyte nuclei were isolated and radioiodinated by the lactoperoxidase method under saturating and nonsaturating conditions, and the radioactivity associated with chromatin extracted from these nuclei was monitored. Whereas 97% the label was recovered in the nuclear membranes, only 0.08–0.6% was found in chromatin. The PL present in chromatin were relative to the amounts present in the entire nuclei and calculated as percentage of total, phosphatidylethanolamine (10%), phosphatidylserine (22%), phosphatidylinositol (19%) phosphatidylcholine (14%), and sphingomyelin (35%). In sphingomyelin of chromatin-associated PL an enrichment in polyunsaturated fatty acids was seen. The data indicated that the PL found in isolated chromatin do not seem to be due to contamination from the nuclear membrane.     

Hepatoma,host liver,and normal rat liver phospholipids as affected by diet

Individual phospholipid classes derived from hepatoma, host liver, and normal liver of rats maintained on chow and fat free diets were examined in detail and the sphingomyelin and phosphoglyceride structures compared. The concentration of hepatoma spingomyelin was higher while phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and diphosphatidylglycerol were only one-fourth to one-half normal liver concentrations, irrespective of diet. Hepatoma phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-serine, and phosphatidylinositol contained higher percentages of 18:1 and, except phosphatidylinositol, much lower percentages of most polyunsaturated fatty acids than liver. The 1-position of host liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, normal liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, and hepatoma phosphatidylcholine from animals on both diets had the same approximate fatty acid composition, but the percentage of 16:0 in hepatoma phosphatidylethanolamine was reduced dramatically. The low percentage of 16:0 at the 1-position of both phosphatidylethanolamine and triglycerides suggests that the 1-position fatty acids of these two classes may have a similar origin. The fat free diet reduced the percentage of 18:2 in liver diphosphatidylglycerol 3-fold and the decrease was offset by increased percentages of 16:1 and 18:1; whereas the very low percentage of 18:2 in hepatoma diphosphatidylglycerol was offset by increased percentages of 18:0 and 16:0. Liver phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine from the animals fed the fat free diet contained the highest percentage of 20:3, which replaced 20:4. Hepatoma sphingomyelin contained a much higher concentration of 24:0 and 24:1 than liver. The hepatoma sphingomyelin also contained a C-24 dienoic acid, which was not detected in host and normal liver. Host liver contained a higher percentage of 22:6 than normal liver. The diglycerides derived from host liver PC contained a significantly higher percentage of carbon number 38 than normal liver. Diglycerides derived from hepatoma phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine exhibited a 1-random-2-random distribution of fatty acids, whereas diglycerides from liver phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine showed pairing of specific fatty acids.     

Stearyl CoA as a precursor of oleic acid and glycerolipids in mammary microsomes from lactating bovine: Possible regulatory step in milk triglyceride synthesis

The stearyl desaturase of lactating bovine mammary tissue is located in the microsomes and requires activated fatty acid and NADH for activity. Other enzymes, acyl-transferase(s) and deacylase which apparently compete with the desaturase for substrate are also present. Both the substrate 1-¹⁴C-stearyl CoA and the oleic acid produced by desaturase are esterified into the various lipid classes. The oleic acid is preferentially acylated into positionsn-3 of the triglycerides andsn-2 of the phosphatidylcholine. Experimental conditions causing reduced desaturase activity depressed triglyceride synthesis, and stimulation of desaturation by NADH L^−α GP, acidic pH, 5.6, was accompanied by increased incorporation of radioactive fatty acids into the triglycerides. These data indicated that desaturase and glyceride acyl transferase were located contiguously within the microsomal membranes. The possibility that desaturase activity might control triglyceride synthesis in vivo is discussed. It was observed that mammary tissue from nonlactating cows 1–2 weeks and 2 days prior to calving lacked or possessed very low stearyl desaturase activity.     

Tocopherol Content and Fatty Acid Distribution of Peas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.)

The positional distribution of fatty acids (FA) of triacylglycerols (TAG) and major phospholipids (PL) prepared from four cultivars of peas (Pisum sativum L.) were investigated as well as their tocopherol contents. The lipids extracted from these peas were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) into seven fractions. The major lipid components were PL (52.2–61.3%) and TAG (31.2–40.3%), while the other components were also present in minor proportions (5.6–9.2%). γ-Tocopherol was present in the highest concentration, and α- and δ-tocopherols were very small amounts. The main PL components isolated from the four cultivars were phosphatidylcholine (42.3–49.2%), followed by phosphatidylinositol (23.3–25.2%) and then phosphatidylethanolamine (17.7–20.5%). Small but significant differences (P < 0.05) in FA distribution existed when different pea cultivars were determined. However, the principal characteristics of the FA distribution in the TAG and the three PL were evident among the four cultivars; unsaturated FA were predominantly located in the sn-2 position, and saturated FA primary occupied the sn-1 or sn-3 position in the oils of the peas. These results suggest that the regional distribution of tocopherols and fatty acids in peas is not dependent on the climatic conditions and the soil characteristics of the cultivation areas during the growing season.     

The relation of carnitine to the formation of phosphatidyl-β-methylcholine byTenebrio molitor L. Larvae

Results demonstrate thatTenebrio molitor larvae can incorporate β-methylcholine into their phospholipids and that β-methylcholine spares larval choline. Phosphatidyl-β-methylcholine is detected when larvae are reared on a diet in which choline is replaced by β-methylcholine. Results indicate that, in contrast to housefly and blowfly larvae,Tenebrio larvae do not metabolize carnitine to β-methylcholine. The same phospholipids were found with all rearing conditions. They were lecithin, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and two others tentatively identified as cardiolipin and phosphatidylinositol. The ratio of lecithin to sphingomyelin and to the combined other phospholipids did not vary significantly, regardless of the rearing conditions. Larvae reared on diets lacking either choline or carnitine contained more lipid phosphorus per gram of tissue than those reared on a complete diet. The fatty acid composition of the neutral lipids was similar regardless of the rearing conditions. Oleic acid represented greater than 55% of the total fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids comprised 75–80% of the total. Palmitic acid was the predominant saturated fatty acid. Journal Paper No. 4533, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing, Michigan.     

Fatty acid composition of subcellular particles from sheep platelets and topological distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine fatty acids in the plasma membrane

The fatty acid composition of individual phospholipids in subcellular fractions of sheep platelets and the asymmetrical distribution of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) fatty acyl chains across the plasma membrane were examined. The main fatty acids of total lipid extracts were oleic (18∶1; 32–41%), linoleic (18∶2, 10–17%), stearic (18∶0; 13–15%), palmitic (16∶0; 11–15%) and arachidonic (20∶4; 8–12%) acids, with a saturated/unsaturated ratio of about 0.4. Each phospholipid class had a distinct fatty acid pattern. Sphingomyelin (SM) showed the highest degree of saturation (50%), with large proportions of behenic (22∶0), 18∶0 and 16∶0 acids. The main fatty acid in PE, phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) was 18∶1n−9. Our findings suggest that fatty acids are asymmetrically distributed between thecholineversus the non-choline phospholipids, and also between plasma membranes and intracellular membranes. The transbilayer distribution of PE fatty acids in plasma membranes from non-stimulated sheep platelets was investigated using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). A significant degree of asymmetry was found, which is a new observation in a non-polar cell. The PE molecules from the inner monolayer contained higher amounts of 18∶2 and significantly less 18∶1 and 20∶5 than those found in the outer monolayer, although no major differences were detected in the transbilayer distribution of total unsaturatedversus saturated PE acyl chains.     

Positional analyses of triacylglycerol fatty acids in the milk fat of the antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)

The positional distribution of fatty acids has been determined for the milk triacylglycerols of the Antarctic fur seal,Arctocephalus gazella. Of particular interest was the positional distribution of the polyunsaturated n−3 fatty acids in milk triacylglycerols (TG). In adipocytes of pinnipeds, TG are synthesized with the n−3 fatty acids primarily in thesn-1,3 positions. To determine the positional distribution, extracts of enzymatically digested lipids were separated by thin-layer chromatography, and the constituent fatty acids were separated and quantified by gas-liquid chromatography. Monoenoic and saturated fatty acids comprised over 75% of the total, the ratio of monoenoic to saturated fatty acids being 2∶1. The percent content of the long-chain n−3 fatty acids, 20∶5, 22∶5 and 22∶6, ranged between 15–20%. The positional analyses revealed that at thesn-2 position of milk TG, saturated fatty acids were in excess (57%), and the content of n−3 fatty acids was less than 5%. More than 80% of the n−3 fatty acids in milk were located in thesn-1,3 positions. The data indicate that in pinnipeds TG are synthesized in the mammary gland and adipose tissue with fatty acids having similar positional distributions.     

Fatty acid composition of polar lipids in goats' milk

Silicic acid column chromatography was used to separate the polar lipids of goats' milk into glycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine plus phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin fractions. Each fraction was purified by column chromatography and its fatty acid profile determined by gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The glycerophospholipids each contained 18∶1 as the predominant fatty acid (∼45%). The sphingolipids contained a high percentage of long-chain saturated fatty acids (C₂₂ to C₂₄>45%); the glycolipid fraction also contained ca. 2% 2-hydroxy fatty acids. The data represent a comprehensive cross-sectional study of the major polar lipids found in goats' milks.     

Profiling and Imaging of Phospholipids in Brains of Abcd1‐Deficient Mice

ABCD1 is a gene responsible for X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD), and is critical for the transport of very long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFA) into peroxisomes and subsequent β‐oxidation. VLCFA‐containing lipids accumulate in X‐ALD patients, although the effect of ABCD1‐deficiency on each lipid species in the central nervous system has not been fully characterized. In this study, each phospholipid and lysophospholipid species in Abcd1‐deficient mice brains were profiled by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Among the phospholipid and lysophospholipid species that are significantly more enriched in Abcd1‐deficient mice brains, VLCFA were present in 75, 15, 5, 4, and 1 species of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Most VLCFA were incorporated at the sn‐1 position of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Among the phospholipid species that are significantly less enriched in Abcd1‐deficient mice brains, odd‐numbered saturated or mono‐unsaturated fatty acyl moieties are contained in all phosphatidylcholine species. In addition, a number of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine species contained highly unsaturated fatty acyl moieties. Intriguingly, 44:1 phosphatidylcholine with VLCFA was mainly distributed in the gray matter, such as the cortex, but not in the white matter in the cerebrum and cerebellum. These results show that ABCD1‐deficiency causes metabolic alternation of long‐chain fatty acids and VLCFA. Moreover, our results imply a molecular mechanism for the incorporation of saturated or monounsaturated VLCFA into the sn‐1 position of phospholipids, and also indicate that the distribution of phospholipids with VLCFA may correlate with the development of X‐ALD.     

Positional distribution of the fatty acids in the triglycerides of mango (Mangifera indica) kernel fat

Triglycerides of mango seed kernel fat contain, depending on the variety, 32.4–44.0% of stearic acid and 43.7–54.5% of oleic acid. Palmitic and linoleic acids represent, respectively, 5.9–9.1% and 3.6–6.7% of the fatty acids. The triglycerides also contain minor amounts of arachidic and linolenic acids. Palmitic, stearic and arachidic acids were almost exclusively distributed among thesn-1-andsn-3-positions. Oleic acid represented 85–89% of the fatty acids at thesn-2-position. Oleic acid at thesn-1- andsn-3-positions showed a preference for thesn-1-position. Linoleic acid was mainly esterified at thesn-2-position. The amounts of saturated fatty acids, i.e., palmitic and stearic acids, and of oleic acid, at thesn-1- and sn-3-positions, were linearly related to their respective contents in the total triglycerides.     

Composition and positional distribution of fatty acids in phospholipids isolated from pork muscle tissues

The composition and positional distribution of fatty acids in phospholipids isolated from four locations of a hog carcass is presented. Variations in fatty acid composition of phospholipids were found depending upon the location in the carcass. The total unsaturated fatty acid content averaged 34.3 mole % for lecithin, 52.5 mole % for phosphatidylethanolamine, 40.3 mole % for phosphatidylserine and 41.3 mole % in sphingomyelin. The cephalins had a much higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids than lecithin. The chief saturated fatty acid in lecithin and sphingomyelin was palmitic and in cephalins it was stearic. A snake venom enzyme preparation(Crotalus adamanteus) hydrolyzed primarily unsaturated fatty acids in phosphoglycerides and the higher the percentage of unsaturation within the fatty acid the higher percentage of hydrolysis occurred. The unsaturated fatty acids were found chiefly at the theβ-position and the saturated fatty acids at thea-position in the phosphoglycerides. Michigan State Agricultural Experiment Station Publication No. 3389. Supported by the U.S. Public Health Service Research Grant No. GM 08801-03.     

Does a threshold for the effect of dietary omega-3 fatty acids on the fatty acid composition of nuclear envelope phospholipids exist?

Existence of a dietary maximal level or threshold for incorporation of ω3 fatty acids into membrane phospholipids is of interest as it may further define understanding of the dietary requirement for ω3 fatty acids. To test whether feeding increasing levels of dietary ω3 fatty acids continues to increase membrane ω3 fatty acid content, weanling rats were fed a nutritionally adequate semipurified diet which provided increasing amounts of C₂₀ and C₂₂ ω3 fatty acids, such as 20∶5ω3 and 22∶6ω3. Dietary 20∶5ω3 and 22∶6ω3 were provided by substituting a purified shark oil concentrate of high 22∶6ω3 content for safflower oil high in 18∶2ω6. After four weeks of feeding, nuclear envelopes from four animals in each diet group were prepared, lipid was extracted and phospholipids separated. Arachidonic acid content in membrane phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine was significantly reduced by feeding increased dietary levels of ω3 fatty acids. Decline of 20∶4ω6 level in phospholipid tended to stabilize when the dietary content of total ω3 fatty acids reached 4–5% of total fatty acids. Above this level, dietary ω3 fatty acids did not result in a further decrease in membrane content of 20∶4nω6. Increase in membrane phospholipid content of 20∶5ω3 occurred as the dietary intake of ω3 fatty acids increased from 1.1% to 5% of total fatty acids. A dietary ω3 fatty acid level of 2.2–3% was sufficient to result in maximum incorporation of 22∶6ω3 into membrane phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, but not into phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylserine.     

Preferential labeling of phosphatidylcholine during phospholipid synthesis by bovine mammary tissue

Bovine mammary cells and tissue synthesize de novo the classes of phospholipids, found in mammary tissue and milk, from various precursor molecules. Several short term experiments were carried out in vitro, using labeled precursors, i.e., 1-¹⁴C-fatty acids; 2-¹⁴C-acetate; U-¹⁴C-glycerol; 1,2-¹⁴C-choline; 1,2-¹⁴C-ethanolamine; 2-¹⁴C-serine; and Me-¹⁴C-methionine. All the phospholipid classes were labeled. The specific activity of tissue phosphatidylcholine was consistently three to six-fold greater than that of phosphatidylethanolamine. The results indicated that stepwise methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine with labeled methyl group of methionine was occurring to a minor extent, as was a negligible amount of choline exchange. Serine was incorporated into phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin. Significant quantities of labeled phosphatidylserine were decarboxylated to phosphatidylethanolamine. Apparently phosphatidylcholine was synthesized de novo from choline via phosphorylcholine and CDP-choline. Based on the present observations and other data, it is suggested that there may be two pools of phosphatidylcholine in lactating mammary cells.     

On the isolation of the new fatty acid 6,11-eicosadienoic (20∶2) and related 6,11-dienoic acids from the spongeEuryspongia rosea

The phospholipid fatty acids from the spongeEuryspongia rosea were studied revealing the presence of the new 6,11-eicosadienoic (20∶2) acid and the rare 6,11-octadecadienoic acid (18∶2). The isolation of these 6,11-dienoic acids reveals the presence of new biosynthetic possibilities in sponges and suggests the presence of an active Δ6 desaturase inE. rosea. Other acids isolated fromE. rosea include 12-eicosenoic (20∶1) and 17-tetracosenoic acid (24∶1). The major phospholipids encountered in the sponge were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidylcholine (PC).     

Stereospecific analysis of glycerolipids of egg yolk of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerol were isolated from egg yolk of the Japanese quail. Fatty acid compositions at the two and three positions of glycerol in the glycerolipids were determined by stereospecific analysis employing phospholipase A₂. The distribution of the total number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid moieties of triacylglycerol was also quantitated by high temperature gas liquid chromatography. The distribution of acyl groups in each of the positions of the phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerol was not random, and each position has a characteristic composition. The phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine had distinctive fatty acid distributions for positionsn-2 of the triacylglycerol had a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids of which 18∶1 (69.9%) was the major component. Positionsn-3 contained 49.3% saturated fatty acids and was more saturated than positionsn-1 by 8.1%. The experimentally determined distribution of the carbon numbers in triacyl glycerol deviated significantly from the distribution predicted by 1-random-2-random-3-random association of the fatty acids. The data suggest that in Japanese quail there is marked preferencial synthesis of some triacylglycerols.     

Phospholipid and fatty acid composition of frog (Rana esculenta) liver—a circannual study

Liver lipid composition of the frogRana esculenta was examined on a circannual basis. In particular, phospholipid and cholesterol content, relative phospholipid distribution, and fatty acid patterns have been studied. Seasonal acclimatization is associated with significant modifications of phospholipid content and of the relative proportion of phospholipid classes, while cholesterol level is unchanged throughout the year. In regard to the fatty acid composition of total phospholipids as well as of the four major phospholipid classes—phosphatidylcholine (PC); phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); sphingomyelin (SM); phosphatidylserine (PS)—it appears that the liver of “summer animals” is characterized by a higher unsaturation index due to a decrease of saturated fatty acids and to an increased content of n−3 and n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results suggest that relevant compositional changes occur mainly in spring and autumn: these changes could be interpreted as being the result of both a nutritionally- and thermally-induced seasonal adaptation directed toward the preservation of membrane-associated physiological activities that are linked to the transition from the active to the inactive state of the animal.     

Characterization of feline omentum lipids

Feline omental lipid extracts, previously reported to be angiogenic in the cornea of rabbits, were fractionated and the major lipid components characterized. Approximately 97% of the chloroform/methanol extract consisted of triglycerides containing primarily 16∶0, 18∶0, 18∶1 and 18∶2 fatty acids. Trace quantities of free fatty acids, cholesterol, di- and monoglycerides were also detected. The phospholipid fraction, obtained by solvent partition and Unisil column chromatography and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-mass spectrometry, was found to consist of phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. The neutral glycolipids, isolated by solvent partition and Unisil column chromatography and identified by high performance thin layer chromatography and HPLC of their perbenzoylated derivatives, were found to consist of glucosyl- and galactosylceramides, galabiosylceramide, lactosylceramide, globotriaosylceramide and globotetraosylceramide. The complex glycolipid fraction, obtained from Folch upper phase solvent partition, was found to consist primarily of Forssman glycolipid and gangliosides GM₃ and GD₃. Smaller amounts of GM₁ and other unidentified gangliosides were also present. The ganglioside nomenclature is according to the system of Svennerholm (J. Neurochem. 10, 613–623, 1963)     

Lipid composition of perilla seed

The composition of lipids and oil characteristics from perilla [Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.] seed cultivars are reported. Total lipid contents of the five perilla seed cultivars ranged from 38.6 to 47.8% on a dry weight basis. The lipids consisted of 91.2–93.9% neutral lipids, 3.9–5.8% glycolipids and 2.0–3.0% phospholipids. Neutral lipids consisted mostly of triacylglycerols (88.1–91.0%) and small amounts of sterol esters, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, free sterols and partial glycerides. Among the glycolipids, esterified sterylglycoside (48.9–53.2%) and sterylglycoside (22.1–25.4%) were the most abundant, while monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol were present as minor components. Of the phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (50.4–57.1%) and phosphatidylcholines (17.6–20.6%) were the major components, and phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol were present in small quantities. The major fatty acids of the perilla oil were linolenic (61.1–64.0%), linoleic (14.3–17.0%) and oleic acids (13.2–14.9%). Some of the physicochemical characteristics and the tocopherol composition of perilla oil were determined.