Abstract Oil content as extracted with chloroform - methanol ranged from 5.2 to 18.4% among the 12 mutant genotypes examined. GLC analysis of the methyl esters of the corn oil fatty acids showed widely significant differences in composition among the genotypes. Action of the opaque-2 gene on the inbred caused the greatest decrease in oil content and greatest increase in the proportion of polyunsaturates. The brittle-2 gene caused the greatest increase in oil content and greatest decrease in the proportion of polyunsaturates. A positive relationship was evident between saturated and oleic acids and oil content. An inverse relationship was evident between polyunsaturated acids and oil content.