| Abstract: | The identity, composition and concentration of each of the major lipids found in Alocasia tubers were investigated using a combination of chromatographic procedures. On a weight to weight basis, the neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids comprised 60.5, 19.0 and 20.5% respectively while the total extractable lipids accounted for 0.6% of the dry weight. In addition to the conventional lipid classes of tubers, the presence of tri- and tetragalactosyl diglycerides was confirmed. The predominant fatty acid in each lipid class was linoleic acid with palmitic, oleic and linolenic acids being the other ones. In general, a high degree of unsaturation (66%), similar for most tuber lipids, was established for the component fatty acids of Alocasia. |
