Phenyl-terminated fatty acids in seeds of various aroids

Abstract

A series of homologous ω-phenylalkanoic acids and ω-phenylalkenoic acids were isolated from seed lipids of various genera of the subfamily Aroideae of Araceae (the Jack-in-the-Pulpit family) and characterized. Besides the major acids, 11-phenylundecanoic acid, 13-phenyltridecanoic acid and 15-phenylpentadecanoic acid, all other homologous odd carbon number ω-phenylalkanoic acids from C 7 to C 23 were detected in trace amounts. Additionally, one even carbon number acid, 12-phenyldodecanoic acid was found in several specimens in trace amounts. Similarly, two series of homologous odd carbon number monounsaturated ω-phenylalkenoic acids were found and characterized using dimethyl disulfide derivatization to locate the positions of their double bonds. In five acids from C 11 to C 19, the double bond is located at the same distance, Δ 7, from the phenyl ring. In the other two acids of C 13 and C 15 chain length, the double bond is located at Δ 5 from the phenyl ring.