Lipids of maturing grain of corn (Zea mays L.):

The polar lipids of a standard corn inbred, H51, were analyzed as the kernels developed. The concentrations of the glycolipids and phospholipids were highest at 30–45 days after pollination and then decreased. Digalactosyl diglyceride was the dominant glycolipid in the maturing grain. Monogalactosyl diglyceride and sulfolipid were also major sugar-containing lipids, but steryl glycoside ester, steryl glycoside and cerebrosides were relatively minor components. Phosphatidyl choline accounted for over 50% of the total phosphorus of the phospholipids at all stages of kernel development. Phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl inositol ranked second and third. Each individual lipid had its own characteristic fatty acid pattern, but the changes in fatty acid composition during development of the corn kernels were similar for all the lipids. The percentages of palmitic acid and linolenic acid decreased while those of oleic acid increased. Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, University of Illinois, and Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA.