Phospholipids of three xerophytic cucurbit seed oils

The composition of seed phospholipids was determined in three species of xerophytic cucurbits,Cucurbita digitata Gray,C. foetidissima HBK andApodanthera undulata Gray. The phospholipid fractions were isolated using silicic acid chromatography and quantitated by colorimetric analysis. The component phospholipids were separated using thin layer chromatography. All three species contained phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol as their major component phospholipids. Analysis by gas liquid chromatography of fatty acids in total phospholipid samples revealed linoleic acid as the major component and myristic acid in significant amounts in each species. Small amounts of conjugated unsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipids of each species were determined by ultraviolet spectrometry. Close similarities in the composition of specific phospholipids were found in all species. This is Paper No. 3908 of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station.