PRINCIPAL FATTY ACIDS OF PHOSPHOLIPID CLASSES OF AN INDIAN FRESH WATER FISH (C. pabda)

Separation, quantitative analysis and fatty acids characterization of different phospholipids of a freshwater fish from India, C. pabda were carried out. Substantial amounts of 20:4n-6, 8:0, 10:0, and C13, C17 fatty acids were detected, in addition to the other fatty acids common in freshwater species. The principal fatty acids were 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. The pattern of fatty acid distribution among phospholipid classes showed general similarities with minor variations.     

鲤、鲫卵的脂质和脂肪酸特性

鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、鲫(Carassius auratus)卵总脂分别为干基的16.90%和10.19%。两者脂质和脂肪酸组成总体比较接近。总脂中含较高的甘油三酯和极性脂,并含一定量的固醇及其酯。极性脂约占总脂的30%,主要为PC和PE,并含一定的心磷脂。两种鱼卵主要含C14～C22的19种脂肪酸,16:0和18:1含量最高,DHA等n-3族多烯酸和20:4n-6也较高,而EPA较低,P/S>>0.5。总脂中饱和、单不饱和、多不饱和脂肪酸的比例接近1:1:1,中性脂中C18、C20酸较多,极性脂中C22酸(DHA)较多。鲫卵18:2n-6较高,使得多烯酸含量稍高,胆固醇、磷脂含量及PC/PE和n-3/n-6稍低于鲤卵。研究表明:两种淡水鱼卵与其鱼肉相比,磷脂和胆固醇明显高,磷脂以PC为主,其次为PE;多烯酸稍高,其中DHA高而EPA低,并含20:4n-6。鲫卵PL的乳化稳定性低于相同浓度大豆磷脂的。其独特的脂质具有较大的研究利用价值。     

Characterization of phospholipid composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed oil

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed oil was extracted with two different solvents, n-hexane (H) and a mixture of chloroform/methanol (CM) (2:1, by volume). Amount of total lipid (TL) was higher in the CM miscelle (39.2% of seed fresh weight) than in the H extract (37.9%). Chemical characteristics as well as fatty acid profile of the TL extracts were compared and the analysis revealed that the major fatty acid was linoleic acid C18:2n-6 (ca. 57% of total fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)) followed by oleic acid C18:1n-9. Palmitic acid C16:0 was the major saturated fatty acid and detected in appreciable level. Chromatography on a silica column with solvent of increasing polarity yielded 96.1-97.2% neutral lipids (NL) and ca. 3% of polar lipids. Gas liquid chromatography with flame ionization detector (GLC/FID) showed that the major fatty acid present in all lipid classes was C18:2n-6 followed by C18:1n-9 and C16:0 acids, respectively. Phospholipid (PL) classes were separated via normal-phase HPLC. Separation was achieved on a silica column by gradient elution from isooctane/2-propanol (6:8, by volume) to isooctane/2-propanol/water (6:8:0.6, by volume) lasting 35 min with UV detection at 205 nm. The major individual PL classes were found to be phosphatidylcholine (PC; ca. 46-48% of total PL) followed by phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), respectively. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were isolated in smaller quantities. The level of saturated fatty acids, namely palmitic C16:0 and stearic C18:0 acids, was considerably higher in PL classes than in the corresponding triacylglycerols. Characterization of PL profile from Nigella sativa L. seed oil as well as the development of new source of PL was the primary aim of this study.     

Significance of fat supplemented diets on pork quality - Connections between specific fatty acids and sensory attributes of pork

The influence of two diets with different fatty acid compositions has been studied with regard to overall pork quality and significance of specific fatty acids on sensory attributes in fried chops and oven roasts. Twenty castrates and 20 females were in a balanced experimental set-up fed with a standard diet supplemented with α-tocopherol (200mg/kg feed) where the fat source was either 3% of palm oil or 3% rapeseed oil. After slaughter, despite differences in lipid composition and sensory attributes, no significant difference in overall meat quality parameters and flavour precursors was found. Comparison of the two diets showed that supplementation with rapeseed oil resulted in a significantly higher content of C18:3n-3 (polar lipid (PL), neutral lipid (NL)), C18:2n-6c (NL) and C20:2 (NL) in LD and C18:1n-9c, C18:2n-6c, C18:3n-3, C20:3n-3, C22:5n-3 in backfat, while supplementation with palm oil resulted in a higher content of C16:0 (NL), C16:1 (PL), C18:1n-9t (NL) in LD and C16:0, C17:0, C18:0, C16:1, C20:4n-6 in backfat. A positive and significant correlation between the contents of C18:2n-6c, C20:3n-6 in the PL fraction and the sensory attributes fried meat odour and sweet odour were found in fried pork chops from female pigs. Likewise, positive correlations were seen between the content of C18:1n-9c in the PL fraction and sensory attributes such as sourish odour, piggy odour and piggy flavour in whole oven roasts. These data substantiate the view that specific fatty acids in the PL fraction influences flavour attributes in pork.     

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Lake Superior Fish

Proximate analysis and fatty acid composition of eight commercially important species of Lake Superior fish were determined. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was the predominant saturated fatty acid, accounting for 68–79% of total saturated acids. Oleic acid (C18:1) was the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (C18:3), eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) were the predominant polyunsaturated fatty acids. Brining, smoking and refrigerated storage caused a reduction in total lipid, but only a small loss in n-3 fatty acids. The data revealed that most Lake Superior fish examined were excellent sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids with very high levels of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids.     

Dietary manipulation of fatty acid composition in lamb meat and its effect on the volatile aroma compounds of grilled lamb

The effect on lamb muscle of five dietary supplements high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was measured. The supplements were linseed oil, fish oil, protected lipid (high in linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3)), fish oil/marine algae (1:1), and protected lipid/marine algae (1:1). Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6 n-3) were found in the highest amounts in the meat from lambs fed diets containing algae. Meat from lambs fed protected lipid had the highest levels of C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3, due to the effectiveness of the protection system. In grilled meat from these animals, volatile compounds derived from n-3 fatty acids were highest in the meat from the lambs fed the fish oil/algae diet, whereas compounds derived from n-6 fatty acids were highest in the meat from the lambs fed the protected lipid diet.     

LIPIDS AND FATTY ACIDS OF FIVE FRESHWATER FOOD FISHES OF INDIA

Five species of carp important in the diet of many of the people of India were examined for principal lipids and in particular for the highly unsaturated fatty acids with potential biomedical benefits. Muscle lipid was about 1% in four species but 2.5% in muscle of Labio bata. The livers however had lipid contents in the 5–10% range. The principle lipid classes were separated and the fatty acids were determined by open-tubular (capillary) gas-liquid chromatography; forty-seven fatty acids were quantified. Saturated fatty acids were approximately 40–50% of total fatty acids in muscle lipids and monoethylenic fatty acids were 24–39%. Functionally important fatty acids of triacylglycerols in the muscle of all species included about 5% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. The longer chain lengths 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, and especially 22:6n-3, were found mostly in the polar lipids     

Phospholipids of marine origin. The lantern fish (Lampanyctodes hectoris)

Lantern fish of the species Lampanyctodes hectoris were shown to contain phospholipids (10 g kg^?1) and non-phosphorylated lipids (140 g kg^?1). The phospholipid fraction consisted of phosphatidyl choline (47% of total phospholipids), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (42%), phosphatidyl serine (3%), phosphatidyl inositol (1%), sphingomyelin (4%), lyso-phosphatidyl choline (1%) and cardiolipins (2%). Lantern fish (L hectoris) meals normally contain unacceptably high lipid contents (150 g kg^?1 and over); this characteristic was found not to be due to a high phospholipid level in the lantern fish. The major fatty acid of the phospholipids was C22:6n-3 (25% total fatty acids) followed by C16:0 (18%), C18:ln-9 (16%) and C20:5n-3 (8%). This distribution was different from that of the non-phosphorylated lipids where the major fatty acid was C16:0 (21%) followed by C18:ln-9 (19%), C20:5n-3 (11%), C20:l (7%) and C22:6n-3 (7%). The lantern fish press oil and residual meal lipids had fatty acid distributions similar to those of the non-phosphorylated lipids.     

Lipid characteristics of two subtropical Seriola fishes, Seriola dumerili and Seriola rivoliana, with differences between cultured and wild varieties

The lipid and fatty acid compositions of the muscle and liver of two subtropical Seriola fish species, Seriola dumerili and Seriola rivoliana, were investigated. The lipid levels of cultured S. dumerili were significantly higher than were those of the wild ones. Triacylglycerols and phospholipids were the dominant lipids of both the cultured and wild. In both species, the major fatty acids in the muscle and liver triacylglycerols were 14:0 (cultured), 16:0, 18:0, 16:1n-7, 18:1n-7, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid: LA, cultured), 20:5n-3, and 22:6n-3. In spite of similar levels of many of the fatty acids between cultured and wild triacylglycerols, the cultured samples had markedly higher levels of LA with trace levels of 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid: ARA) and 22:5n-6, while the wild ones had very low 18:2n-6 levels with small levels of ARA and 22:5n-6. The ratio (R(LA/ARA)) of LA to ARA in the cultured samples was markedly higher than were those of the wild samples.     

Evaluating nutritional quality of pacific fish species from fatty acid signatures

Eight fish species common to the Pacific Northwest coastal waters were categorised according to total lipids in a ranking from lean fish (e.g. walleye pollock) to oily fish (e.g. herring) species. Comprehensive fatty acid signatures were compared on both the relative proportion of total fatty acids and the proportion of total carcass lipid content. Generally, fish species from the Pacific coast had a relatively high proportion of n-3 highly polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), of which more than 80% was accounted for by C20:5n-3 (EPA) and C22:6n-3 (DHA), with species-specific and lower proportions of oleic acid (C18:1n-9) and palmitic acid (C16:0) also dominating. The MUFA contents of fish were lower (P < 0.05) in the lipids of lean and low-fat fish compared to those of fattier species. In contrast, higher (P < 0.05) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) existed in the low-fat species with DHA contents ranging from 18% to 29% in the low-fat fish and from 8% to 10% in the fattier fish, such as herring and capelin. Expressing the same fatty acid content data in terms of absolute amount of fatty acids (e.g. gFA/100 g wet tissue) showed that both EPA and DHA contents in the flesh of pollock and hake were indeed many fold lower than those found in fatty fish, such as herring. The findings confirm that it is important that both the total lipid content and the fatty acid composition of these Pacific fish food sources be considered when making evaluations on the nutritional quality.     

The influence of feed supply time on the fatty acid profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids

The purpose of the study was to examine the fatty acid profiles of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) submitted to different feeding times (0, 10, 20 and 30 days) on a diet enriched with n-3 fatty acids, by addition of flaxseed oil in substitution for sunflower oil. The main fatty acids detected were palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1n9), linoleic (C18:2n6) and -linolenic (C18:3n3) in all the treatments. The 30 day-fed fish presented the best values for total n-3 fatty acids, with a prominence of -linolenic acids, showing that the flaxseed oil as well as the feed supply time influenced the fatty acid profiles.     

Sensitivity of pig genotypes to short-term manipulation of plasma fatty acids by feeding linseed

The sensitivity of pigs selected for high daily food intake (DFI), low lean food conversion (LFC) and high lean growth rate (LGS) to dietary change of plasma fatty acids was assessed. The difference between the two diets was effectively a substitution of palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1 n-9) and linoleic (C18:2 n-6) with linolenic (C18:3 n-3) fatty acids. Fatty acid compositions of plasma free fatty acids, neutral lipids and phospholipids were measured in 90 kg animals fed a base or high linolenic (C18:3 n-3) fatty acid diet, based on whole linseed, for four days. There were 24 animals from each selection line and 24 animals from an unselected control line, with boars and gilts represented equally in each line. Half of the selection line animals were fed the base diet and half were fed the high C18:3 diet, but all control animals were fed the base diet. Prior to slaughter, animals were fasted for 18 h. The fatty acids primarily affected by dietary change were C18:3 n-3 and its products, C20:5 n-3 (EPA) and C22:6 n-3 (DHA). The sensitivity of a selection line to dietary change was parameterised by the relative shift in fatty acid composition through changing from the base diet to the high C18:3 diet. In neutral lipids, the sensitivities of C18:3 n-3 in the DFI and LFC lines were similar but greater than in the LGS line (3.0 v. 1.8, S.E.D. 0.15), while, for phospholipid and free fatty acids, the sensitivity of the DFI line was greater than in the LFC and LGS lines (2.3 v. 1.8 and 2.0 v. 1.4, respectively). For C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3, the DFI and LFC lines were more sensitive to dietary change than the LGS line (total lipid : 2.3 v. 1.9 and 1.5 v. 1.2). In general, the DFI line was most sensitive to dietary change and the LGS line was the least sensitive. The difference in sensitivities of the lipid classes to the high C18:3 diet between the selection lines could result from differences in body fat content and may explain the general lack of genotype with nutrition interactions in post-1990 genotypes in comparison with fatter circa-1970 genotypes.     

Effect of grass or concentrate feeding systems and rate of growth on triglyceride and phospholipid and their fatty acids in the M. longissimus thoracis of lambs

Thirty-two male Ile-de-France lambs were used in a factorial 2×2 design to analyse the effects of feeding systems (grass outdoor, G, or concentrate and hay indoor: stall, S) and of growth rate (low, L, or high, H) on total lipids, triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) contents and their fatty acid composition in the longissimus thoracis muscle (L.T.). Contents were lower for TG (10.4 vs. 15.8 mg/100 g fresh tissue, P<0.05) and higher for PL (6.4 vs. 5.8 mg/100 g fresh tissue, P <0.05) in grass-fed lambs compared to stall-fed ones. TG of grass fed lambs displayed lower proportions of palmitic acid (C16:0), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) and other (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and higher proportions of stearic acid (C18:0), linolenic acid (C18:3n-3), cis 9, 11 trans C18:2 and trans monounsaturated fatty acids. In PL of the same lambs only lower MUFA, C18:2n-6 and (n-6) PUFA and higher C18:3n-3, (n-3) PUFA and cis 9, 11 trans C18:2 were observed. Growth rate had no effect on lipid, TG or PL contents of longissimus thoracis. However C18:0 proportions were higher in TG and lower in PL for low growth rate lambs. Low growth rate lambs had also lower cis 9, 11 trans C18:2 in TG. Thus, irrespective of growth rate, the muscle lipids characteristic of grass fed lambs fulfilled the recommended features of human food components much better than that of stall fed lambs, namely for CLA and C18:3n-3. The lower ratios of (n-6) to (n-3) PUFA displayed in grass fed lambs both in TG and in PL were also useful to discriminate all the grass fed lambs from all the stall fed animals.     

澳洲美利奴羊肉脂肪酸组成

选择3 只澳洲美利奴羔羊的背最长肌、臀肌及臂三头肌,利用气相色谱-质谱联用技术对其脂肪酸含量进行测定及分类探讨。结果表明：澳洲美利奴羊肉中共含有脂肪酸35 种,其中C15:1、C16:0、C17:1、C18:0、C18:1 n-9c脂肪酸含量较高,3 个部位肌肉中：不饱和脂肪酸含量＞饱和脂肪酸含量＞单不饱和脂肪酸含量＞多不饱和脂肪酸含量,且每个部位肌肉中单不饱和脂肪酸含量比多不饱和脂肪酸含量均高出2～3 倍;n-3脂肪酸亚麻酸甲酯（C18:3 n-3）在臂三头肌中的含量显著高于背最长肌（P＜0.05）;与另外2 个部位相比,臂三头肌总脂肪酸、饱和脂肪酸、不饱和脂肪酸、中链脂肪酸及长链脂肪酸含量均最高;臂三头肌中多不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸含量比值最高,背最长肌中最低。     

杀菌温度对乳化肠中脂肪酸组成和脂肪氧化的影响

通过氯仿-甲醇法提取乳化肠中的脂肪,并进行皂化和甲酯化,采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术系统对比研究 不同杀菌温度对乳化肠中脂肪酸组成和脂肪氧化的影响。结果表明：乳化肠经不同杀菌温度处理后,脂肪酸含量和 脂肪氧化都会发生一定程度的变化。杀菌温度超过100 ℃时,饱和脂肪酸（saturated fatty acids,SFA）含量显著增 加（P＜0.05）,而不饱和脂肪酸（unsaturated fatty acids,UFA）含量显著降低（P＜0.05）,其中多不饱和脂肪酸 （polyunsaturated fatty acid,PUFA）的含量呈极显著降低（P＜0.01）,而单不饱和脂肪酸（monounsaturated fatty acid,MUFA）含量差异不显著（P＞0.05）;n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA比值显著增加,PUFA/SFA比值显著降低,同时 100～110 ℃杀菌温度显著提高了产品的过氧化值（peroxide value,POV）和硫代巴比妥酸反应物（thiobarbituric acid reactive substances,TBARS）含量。100 ℃以上的杀菌温度使C14:0、C16:0、C18:0和C20:0的含量显著提高,同时 C18:2n6、C18:3n3、C20:3n6和C20:4n6的含量显著降低,而C20:5n3和C22:6n3未检出。结论：低于100 ℃的杀菌条件可以最大程度 保持产品原有的脂肪酸组成,而高于100 ℃的杀菌温度对产品的脂肪酸比例破坏明显,且可显著促进脂肪氧化,这 为杀菌条件在肉制品中的精细化调控提供技术支持。     

Determination of fatty acids in broiler breast meat by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to develop near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations for determination of the fatty acids (FA) in broiler breast meat. A total of 144 breast meat samples were freeze-dried and divided into calibration set and validation set. Calibration models were developed for FA including C14:0, C16:0, C16:1n-7, C18:0, C18:1n-7, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C18:3n-6, C20:0, C20:1n-9, C20:2n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3, C22:4n-6, C22:6n-3, C24:0 and C24:1n-9. Calibration models for FA groups were also developed. Calibrations based on the absolute FA content were more accurate than those based on the relative composition (%). The coefficients of determination of FA and FA groups (based on the absolute content) except C18:3n-6, C20:0, C20:2n-6 and C24:1n-9, were between 0.86 and 0.98 for calibration, and 0.83 and 0.97 for validation. The results indicate NIRS can be a feasible and rapid method for determination of FA with a mean concentration over 0.10 g/kg.     

Short communication: Discrimination between retail bovine milks with different fat contents using chemometrics and fatty acid profiling

We used a multivariate chemometric approach to differentiate or associate retail bovine milks with different fat contents and non-dairy beverages, using fatty acid profiles and statistical analysis. We collected samples of bovine milk (whole, semi-skim, and skim; n = 62) and non-dairy beverages (n = 27), and we analyzed them using gas-liquid chromatography. Principal component analysis of the fatty acid data yielded 3 significant principal components, which accounted for 72% of the total variance in the data set. Principal component 1 was related to saturated fatty acids (C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C12:0, C14:0, C17:0, and C18:0) and monounsaturated fatty acids (C14:1 cis-9, C16:1 cis-9, C17:1 cis-9, and C18:1 trans-11); whole milk samples were clearly differentiated from the rest using this principal component. Principal component 2 differentiated semi-skim milk samples by n-3 fatty acid content (C20:3n-3, C20:5n-3, and C22:6n-3). Principal component 3 was related to C18:2 trans-9,trans-12 and C20:4n-6, and its lower scores were observed in skim milk and non-dairy beverages. A cluster analysis yielded 3 groups: group 1 consisted of only whole milk samples, group 2 was represented mainly by semi-skim milks, and group 3 included skim milk and non-dairy beverages. Overall, the present study showed that a multivariate chemometric approach is a useful tool for differentiating or associating retail bovine milks and non-dairy beverages using their fatty acid profile.     

The polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of beef and lamb liver

The effect on liver fatty acids of two typical beef production systems, steers fed grass (grazing) and bulls fed concentrates, was investigated. Liver fatty acids were also studied in lambs grazing grass. Total fatty acid content of liver in the beef animals was not affected by production system, being 3.5% for grass and 3.7% for concentrates although carcasses of the latter animals were leaner. The percentages of the major non polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were also similar: (concentrates in parentheses) 18:0, 25.2% (25.1%); 16:0, 13.3% (14.5%); 18:1 12.6% (14.0%). Total liver PUFA contents were similar for the two production systems and much higher than in muscle from the same animals. All n-3 PUFA were present in greater amounts in liver from grass fed animals and n-6 PUFA were higher in concentrate fed animals: mg/100g liver, 18:3n-3 92 (32); 20:5 n-3, 151 (17); 22:5 n-3, 283 (108); 22:6 n-3, 83 (32); 18:2 n-6, 172 (444); 20:4 n-6, 194 (270). The P:S ratios were 0.20 (grass) and 0.32 (concentrates) and the n-6:n-3 ratios were 0.71 and 4.8, respectively. Livers from grass-fed lamb had a higher fat content, 4.9%, than the beef livers and a lower percentage of 18:0, (21%); but more 16:0, (16%) and 18:1 (21 %). Total PUFA content of lamb's liver resembled that of beef liver and the composition was similar to that of the steers fed grass. However the concentrations of 18:3 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 were higher in lamb and contributed to a lower n-6: n-3 ratio of 0.46 although the P:S ratio of 0.18 was similar to that in beef liver. Ruminant liver is potentially a good source of C20 and C22 PUFA in the human diet particularly from grass fed animals, with a highly desirable n-6:n-3 ratio and this may be more important nutritionally than the low P:S ratio since people can offset this elsewhere in the diet.     

Composition of wheat-flour lipids

Lipids were extracted from a single sample of wheat flour using three solvent systems: ethanol–diethyl ether–water (2:2:1 by vol.); chloroform–methanol (2:1 by vol.); and water-saturated n-butanol. Analysis of the extracts and of residual lipid in the extracted flour showed that water-saturated n-butanol was the most efficient solvent. Wheat-flour lipids were extracted with water-saturated n-butanol and separated by chromatographic procedures into individual components. The lipid classes which were isolated and studied were steryl ester, free sterol, 6-O-acyl steryl glucoside, steryl glucoside, triglyceride, diglyceride, monoglyceride, free fatty acid, monogalactosyl diglyceride, 6-O-acyl monogalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl diglyceride, digalactosyl monoglyceride, monoglycosyl ceramide, diglycosyl ceramide, N-acyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine, N-acyl lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl inositol. Monogalactosyl monoglyceride was also tentatively identified. The quantitative distributions of the lipid classes were determined. Monoglycosyl ceramide contained small amounts of normal fatty acids (12:0–24:0) and large amounts of 2-hydroxy fatty acids (principally 16:0 and 20:0), with similar amounts of dihydroxy long-chain bases (18:0 and 18:1) and trihydroxy long-chain bases (18:0, 18:1, 19:0, 19:1, 20:0, 22:0). The principal sterols were identified as β-sitosterol, campesterol, and C₂₈ and C₂₉ saturated sterols. The fatty acids in the sterol lipids were principally 16:0 (50–60%) and 18:2 (28–30%) with small amounts of 16:1, 18:0, 18:1 and 18:3. The fatty acids in all the glycerides were principally 18:2 (51–84%) with lesser amounts of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1 and 18:3.     

Effect of postharvest period on sugars,organic acids and fatty acids composition in commercially sold medlar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mespilus germanica</Emphasis> 'Dutch') fruit

Fructose, glucose, and sucrose as the major soluble sugars, and citric, malic, and ascorbic acids as the major organic acids were determined by HPLC, and palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) as the major fatty acids were determined by GC in medlar (Mespilus germanica 'Dutch') fruit. The compositional changes of these constituents were monitored during the post harvest period of commercially sold Dutch form throughout its rapid ripening (fruit softening-darkening). Sucrose was highest at 1 WAH (228.4 mg/100 g fresh wt) and then decreased, remaining very low at 4 WAH (1.4 mg/100 g fresh wt). As for the levels of fructose and glucose, their levels shifted up to 2230.8 and 845.2 mg/100 g fresh wt at 2 and 3 WAHs, then the levels lessened to their lowest concentration. The levels of the three acids were high at the beginning, except malic acid level at 2 WAH, all acids leveled off through the latter weeks of post harvest period. In the fruit studied, the levels of saturated palmitic acid (16:0) and stearic acid (18:0), and unsaturated oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and linolenic acid (18:3n-3) were most abundant fatty acids detected throughout medlar ripening (pulp softening and darkening). The level of palmitic and stearic acids as well as the level of linoleic and linolenic acids were the highest at 1 WAH and then suddenly decreased as the medlar soften and the pulp becomes slightly (2 WAH) and fully (3 WAH) brown through 2 and 4 WAHs. In addition to these prominent fatty acids, a remarkable decrease was also obtained in the content of some other fatty acids (C_10-15, C_16:1, C_20-24).