Determination of positional distribution of short-chain fatty acids in bovine milk fat on chiral columns

The positional distribution of acetic and butyric acids in bovine milk fat triacylglycerols was determined by chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the derived diacylglycerols. Enriched fractions of acetic and butyric acid-containing triacylglycerols were isolated by normal-phase thin-layer chromatography (TLC) from a molecular distillate of butter oil, and they were fully hydrogenated. Mixedsn-1,2(2,3)- andX-1,3-diacylglycerols of short- and long-chainlength, which were generated by partial Grignard degradation of the hydrogenated triacylglycerols, were isolated by borate-TLC. The enantiomericsn-1,2-andsn-2,3-diacylglycerols and theX-1,3-diacylglycerols as their 3,5-dinitrophenylurethanes were resolved by HPLC on chiral columns. Both acetic and butyric acids were exclusively associated with thesn- 2,3- andX-1,3-diacylglycerols of short and long chainlength. These results establish the presence of acetic and butyric acids in thesn-3-position of bovine milk fat triacylglycerols. Other short-and medium-chainlength acids were found in progressively increasing proportions also in thesn-1- andsn-2-positions.     

Identification of natural diacylglycerols as the 3,5-dinitrophenylurethanes by chiral phase liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry

This study reports a facile identification of the molecular species of enantiomeric diacylglycerols by combining chiral phase high-performance liquid chromatography with positive chemical ionization mass spectrometry. For this purpose the 3,5-dinitrophenylurethane (DNPU) derivatives ofsn-1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols are separated on an (R+)-naphthylethylamine polymer column (25 cm × 0.46 cm ID) using an isocratic solvent system made up of hexane/dichloroethane/acetonitrile (85∶10∶5, by vol) or isooctane/tert-butyl methyl ether/acetonitrile/isopropanol (80∶10∶5∶5, by vol). About 1% of the column effluent (1 mL/min) was admitted to a quadrupole mass spectrometer (Hewlett-Packard, Palo Alto, CA)via direct liquid inlet interface, and positive chemical ionization spectra were recorded over the range of 200–900 mass units. The DNPU derivatives of diacylglycerols yield characteristic [M-DNPU]⁺ and [RCO+74]⁺ ions for each diacylglycerol species from which the molecular weight and exact pairing of fatty acids can be unequivocally obtained. The characteristic ions appear to be generated in nearly correct mass proportions as indicated by preliminary quantitative comparisons. The abbreviations 14∶0, 16∶1, 18∶2, etc. represent normal chain fatty acids of 14, 16, 18, etc. acyl carbons and 0, 1, 2, etc. double bonds, respectively; 16∶0–18∶1, etc. represent diacylglycerols containing 16∶0 and 18∶1 fatty acids of unspecified positional distribution;sn indicates stereospecific numbering of glycerol carbons;sn-1,2-diacylglycerols andsn-2,3-diacylglycerols are enantiomeric diacylglycerols of unspecified fatty acid composition;rac-1,2-diacylglycerols are racemic diacylglycerols representing equal amounts ofsn-1,2-andsn-2,3-enantiomers;sn-1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols are a mixture ofsn-1,2-andsn-2,3-diacylglycerols of unspecified proportion of enantiomers and unspecified fatty acid compisition and positional distribution; X-1,3-diacylglycerols are diacylglycerols of unspecified fatty acid composition and reverse isomer content.     

Determination of molecular species of oil triacylglycerols by reversed-phase and chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A method is described for the determination of molecular species of oil triacylglycerols. The method is based on the analytical separation of the enantiomericsn-1,2-andsn-2,3-diacylglycerols, derived from triacylglycerols, by high-performance liquid-chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral column containing N-(R)-1-(α-naphthyl)ethylaminocarbonyl-(S)-valinecarbonyl-(S)-valine as stationary phase. Model triacyl-glycerol molecules comprising three known fatty acids were isolated from peanut oil and cottonseed oil by a combination of argentation-TLC and reversed-phase HPLC and submitted to partial chemical deacylation. The derivedsn-1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerols were analyzed and fractionated as 3,5-dinitrophenyl urethane derivatives by reversed-phase HPLC according to chainlength and unsaturation. From thesn-1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerol composition and the diacylglycerolsn-1,2-andsn-2,3-enantiomer composition, the individual molecular species of four peanut oil triacylglycerols and one cottonseed oil triacylglycerol were identified and quantitated. The method can be applied to triacylglycerols of any other oil or fat.     

Comparison between two procedures for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols from vegetable oils—I: Olive oil

Two methods for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols are compared. Procedure A, based on stereospecific phosphorylation ofsn-1,2-diacylglycerols to phosphatidic acids, and procedure B, based on separation of the diastereomeric 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerol urethane derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica, were applied to olive oil triacyl-sn-glycerols. Statistical evaluation of the results showed good reproducibility, and Student'st-test indicates no statistical differences between the two considered procedures, although some small differences were observed and discussed. Fifteen samples of extra-virgin olive oil, produced in the same region (Umbria, Italy), were analyzed with the two considered procedures.     

Positional distribution of 24∶6(n−3) in triacyl-sn-glycerols from flathead flounder liver and flesh

This paper presents the positional distribution of very long-chain fatty acids, 24∶6(n−3), in triacyl-sn-glycerols (TG) of flathead flounder (Hippoglossoides dubius). Each of the liver and flesh TGs was subjected to the stereospecific analysis. The liver TGs contained 24∶6(n−3) at concentrations of 1.5, 1.2 and 1.7 mole % in thesn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 positions, respectively, and the flesh TGs had 9.0, 7.8 and 7.1 mole % in thesn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 positions, respectively. This fatty acid was distributed almost evenly among the three positions of the TGs. No preference for thesn-2 position was observed in contrast to the general tendency for the distribution of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as 22∶6(n−3), 22∶5(n−3) and 20∶5(n−3). There was essentially no difference in the positional distributions of the liver and flesh TGs. The results obtained in this study give new fundamental information to the investigation of very long-chain fatty acids.     

Positional analyses of triacylglycerol fatty acids in the milk fat of the antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)

The positional distribution of fatty acids has been determined for the milk triacylglycerols of the Antarctic fur seal,Arctocephalus gazella. Of particular interest was the positional distribution of the polyunsaturated n−3 fatty acids in milk triacylglycerols (TG). In adipocytes of pinnipeds, TG are synthesized with the n−3 fatty acids primarily in thesn-1,3 positions. To determine the positional distribution, extracts of enzymatically digested lipids were separated by thin-layer chromatography, and the constituent fatty acids were separated and quantified by gas-liquid chromatography. Monoenoic and saturated fatty acids comprised over 75% of the total, the ratio of monoenoic to saturated fatty acids being 2∶1. The percent content of the long-chain n−3 fatty acids, 20∶5, 22∶5 and 22∶6, ranged between 15–20%. The positional analyses revealed that at thesn-2 position of milk TG, saturated fatty acids were in excess (57%), and the content of n−3 fatty acids was less than 5%. More than 80% of the n−3 fatty acids in milk were located in thesn-1,3 positions. The data indicate that in pinnipeds TG are synthesized in the mammary gland and adipose tissue with fatty acids having similar positional distributions.     

Distribution of the major fatty acids of human milk betweensn-2 andsn-1,3 positions of triacylglycerols

Human milk triacylgycerols (TAG) were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. The SIMPLEX method and a simple linear model were used to interpret the distribution of fatty acids between thesn-2 andsn-1,3 positions in 24 major molecular weight groups of TAG. The number of regio-isomeric pairs of TAG varied between 3 and 18 in each of these groups. Hexadecanoic (16∶0), tetradecanoic (14∶0) and dodecanoic acids (12∶0) typically occupied thesn-2 position in TAG containing less than 54 acyl carbons, whereas long-chain C18 and C20 acids were predominantly located at the primary positions. The positions of the three fatty acids within a TAG molecule were shown to depend on the fatty acid combination. The maximum of 12∶0 in thesn-2 position appeared at acyl carbon number (ACN) 48, the maxima of 14∶0 were at ACN 44 and ACN 50, and for 16∶0 at ACN 46 and 52.     

Stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerolsvia resolution of diastereomeric diacylglycerol derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica

The compositions of positionssn-1, 2 and 3 of triacylglycerols can be determined by partial hydrolysis with ethyl magnesium bromide, derivatization of the total products with (S)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate and isolation of the diacyl-sn-glycerol urethane derivatives by chromatography on solid-phase extraction columns containing an octadecylsilyl phase. The diastereomericsn-1,2-and 2,3-diacylglycerol derivatives are separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica for determination of their fatty acids by gas chromatography. Each step in the process has been evaluated rigorously. The compositions of all three positions can be calculated with good accuracy from the analyses of these compounds and that of the total triacylglycerols. Although the 1,3-sn-diacylglycerol derivatives can also be isolated easily, they do not give reliable results for the composition of positionsn-2 because acyl migration occurs during their generation. The stereospecific analysis procedure has been applied to some plant and animal triacyl-sn-glycerols of commercial and scientific interest, containing predominantly C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acids,i.e. safflower, sunflower, olive and palm oils, tallow, egg and rat adipose tissue. The method is not at present suited to the analysis of more complex triacylglycerols, such as milk fat or fish oils, and problems associated with these are discussed.     

Stereochemical course of diacylglycerol formation in rat intestine

The biosynthesis of diacylglycerols from 2-monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids was examined in evert sacs of rat intestinal mucosa. By means of alternate labeling of the monoacylglycerols and fatty acids, and conventional stereo-specific analysis, it was shown that the main products of synthesis were thesn-1,2-diacylglycerols (53–63%), butsn-2,3-diacylglycerols (37–47%) were also formed in significant amounts. The total yield and proportions of the isomeric diacylglycerols recovered appeared to vary with the nature of the monoacylglycerol and the complexity of the free fatty acid mixture supplied.     

Fatty acid composition of lipid classes in oils from peanuts differing in variety and maturity

Oils from three varieties of mature peanuts and from one variety at seven physiological maturity stages were extracted with petroleum ether and fractionated into lipid classes. The fatty acid composition of the whole oils and fractions were then determined. The fractions from the Starr variety generally contained more 16:0 and 18:2 and less 18:1 than those from the Florunner and Florigiant varieties. Long chain fatty acids (C20–C24) were generally more predominant in thesn-1,3-diacylglycerol fraction than in other fractions, and only traces of long chain acids were found in the sn-1,2(2,3)-di-acylglycerol fraction. An unusual compound associated with thesn- 1,3-diacylglycerol fraction was detected by GLC. Fatty acid compositions of classes in the different maturity stages showed that, generally, the concentration of 18:1 increased and that the concentrations of all other fatty acids decreased with maturity.     

Acylglycerol structure of genetic varieties of peanut oils of varying atherogenic potential

Detailed investigation was made of the triacylglycerol structure of three varieties of peanut oils of varying atherogenic activity. By means of chromatographic and stereospecific analyses, it was shown that all the oils had markedly nonrandom enantiomeric structures with the long chain saturated fatty acids (C₂₀−C₂₄) confined exclusively to thesn-3-position, whereas the palmitic and oleic acids were distributed about equally between thesn-1-andsn-3-positions, with the linoleic acid being found preferentially in thesn-2-position. On the basis of detailed studies of the molecular species of the separatesn-1,2-,sn-2,3- andsn-1,3-diacylglycerol moieties, it was concluded that the fatty acids in the three positions of the glycerol molecule are combined with each other solely on the basis of their relative molar concentrations. As a result, it was possible to calculate the composition of the molecular species of the peanut oil triacylglycerols (including the content of the enantiomers and the reverse isomers) by means of the 1-random 2-random 3-random distribution. In general, the three peanut oils possessed triacylglycerol structures which where closely similar to that derived earlier for a commercial peanut oil of North American origin. Since their oil has exhibited a high degree of atherogenic potential, it was anticipated that the present oils would likewise be atherogenic, which has been confirmed by biological testing. However, there are certain differences in the triacylglycerol structures among these oils, which can be correlated with the variations in their atherogenic activity. The major differences reside in the linoleic/oleic acid ratios in the triacylglycerols, especially in thesn-2-position, and in the proportions in which these acids are combined with the long chain fatty acids. On the basis of the characteristic structures identified in the earlier analyzed atherogenic peanut oil, the peanut oil of South American origin would be judged to possess the greatest atherogenic potential and this has been borne out by biological testing.     

Rapid separations of diacyl- and dialkylglycerol enantiomers by high performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase

Rapid and practical separations of 1,2-and 2,3-diacyl-and dialkyl-sn-glycerol enantimers as their 3,5-dinitrophenylurethane derivatives were carried out by normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase, N-(R)-1-(α-naphthyl)ethylaminocarbonyl-(S)-valine chemically bonded to γ-aminopropyl silanized silica. Complete separations of the racemates into enantiomers were achieved for both of the diacyl-and dialkylglycerols within 10 min using a stainless steel column (25 cm long) packed with the 5-μ particles, an isocratic elution with a mixture of hexane/ethylene dichloride/ethanol as a mobile phase and a UV detector. Thesn-1,2-enantiomers were eluted ahead of the correspondingsn-2,3-enantiomers. Satisfactory separation of thesn-1,3-diacylglycerols from the corresponding enantiomers and the separation of the homologues differing in acyl and alkyl groups were also observed. The formations of hydrogen bonding and charge transfer complex between the urethane derivatives and the stationary phase may contribute to the enantiomer separations.     

Chromatographic resolution of chiral diacylglycerol derivatives: Potential in the stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols

Diacylglycerols have been separated as their (S)-(+)-or (R)-(−)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl urethanes by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a column of silica gel with 0.5% 2-propanol in hexane as the mobile phase. The elution order of components derivatized with the (S)-form of the reagent was 1,3-, followed by 1,2-, and finally 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols. The elution order of 1,2- and 2,3-diastereomers was reversed when the (R)-form of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate was used for derivatization. Single-acid 1,2- and 2,3-diastereomers were separated to the baseline with a resolution factor from 5.2–5.7, and the resolution factor between 1,3- and 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerol derivatives was more than 23. Molecular species of single-acid diacylglycerol derivatives were separated in the sequence 18∶1<18∶0<18∶2<16.0. In order to assess this methodology as part of a procedure for the stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols, we prepared diacyl-rac-glycerols from maize oil, evening primrose oil and egg yolk triacylglycerols by partial hydrolysis with ethyl magnesium bromide. The 1,3-, 1,2- and 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols as (S)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl urethanes were isolated and their fatty acid compositions were determined. Although this only permitted an indirect determination of the compositions of positionssn-1,-2 and-3, it was sufficient to indicate the potential of the methodology because results comparable to those published earlier were achieved.     

A comparison of the positional distribution of fatty acids in milk triglycerides of the extant monotremes platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

Milk triglycerides from the platypus were subjected to fatty acid and stereospecific analysis to determine the positional distribution of fatty acids in the triglycerides. Of the major fatty acids, 12∶0 was preferentially esterified at thesn-3 position, 14∶0 and 16∶0 were selectively associated with thesn-2 position, and 18∶0 was located predominantly at thesn-1 position. The unsaturated fatty acids, 14∶1, 16∶1, 18∶1, 18∶2 and 18∶3, were preferentially esterified at thesn-3 position. The fatty acid distribution pattern of the platypus, a monotreme, is similar to that of marsupials and eutherians but is in contrast to the only other extant monotreme, the echidna.     

Stereospecific analysis of monounsaturated triacylglycerols in cocoa butter

The enantiomeric composition of the monounsaturated triacylglycerols (TG) from cocoa butter was estimated. The monounsaturated TG were separated into three fractions by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and each fraction was subjected to the stereospecific analysis with chiral-phase HPLC. The results indicated that the major TG consisted of equal amounts of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol (SOP-sn-TG) and POS-sn-TG (47 mol%), 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (SOS-TG) (33 mol%), and POP-TG (19 mol%). The contents of SOP-sn-TG and POS-sn-TG are 1.30 times that of the POP-TG content, and the SOS-TG content is 1.30² times that of the POP-TG content. The term “priority factor” is proposed for the ratio of the stearoyl group/palmitoyl group, 1:30 at thesn-1 andsn-3 or 1(3)-position. It shows a distinct specificity for particular fatty acids or their Coenzyme A esters in random esterification at each position of the glycerol moiety in the biosynthesis of cocoa butter TG.     

Interesterification of butterfat by commercial microbial lipases in a cosurfactant-free microemulsion system

Lipase-catalyzed interesterification of butterfat was carried out in a cosurfactant-free microemulsion system containing mixtures of Span 60 and Tween 60 (ICI Specialty Chemicals Altemix Inc., Brantford, Ontario, Canada) as surfactants. Four commercial lipases were used—Lipozyme 10,000L (Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark) and N, D and MPA (Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan). Stereospecific analyses of fractionated selected high-molecular weight triacylglycerols were performed by enzymatic deacylation with commercial pancreatic lipase, random generation ofrac-1,2-diacylglycerols by Grignard degradation, synthesis ofrac-phosphatidylcholines and a stereospecific release ofsn-1,2 diacylglycerols by phospholipase A₂. The results showed that the hydrolytic affinity of commercial lipases demonstrated an acyl-group specificity toward lower-molecular weight fatty acids C4–C14∶0. Stereospecific analyses of fatty acids of interesterified selected triacylglycerols of butterfat catalyzed by lipase N demonstrated a 46% increase in the proportion of C18∶1cis Δ⁹ at thesn-2 position, whereas those catalyzed by lipases MAP, D and Lipozyme 10,000L were enriched with C16∶0 at the same position by 21, 35 and 41%, respectively.     

In vitro hydrolysis of natural and synthetic γ-linolenic acid-containing triacylglycerols by pancreatic lipase

The present study compared thein vitro hydrolysis of two 18:3n-6-rich oils—evening primrose oil (EPO) and borage oil (BO)—and different synthetic 18:3n-6-containing triacylglycerols (TG). Incubation of EPO and BO with pancreatic lipase lipolyzed 18:3n-6 from the TG species. The rate of lipolysis of TG species containing two or three molecules of 18:3n-6, which comprised 36% of total 18:3n-6 in BO and only 7% in EPO, was significantly slower than those containing only one molecule of 18:3n-6. This was found especially in those with two molecules of linoleic acid, which constituted 20% of total 18:3n-6 in BO, whereas over 80% were present in EPO. In a separate study, various synthetic 18:3n-6-containing TG were also subjected toin vitro hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase. Results showed that release of 18:3n-6 from thesn-1/sn-3 positions was significantly slower when two other stereospecific positions in the same TG molecule were occupied by either palmitic acid (16:0) or monounsaturated (18:1 and 20:1) fatty acids than when occupied by 18:2n-6. The rate of hydrolysis ofsn-2-γ-linolenyl-sn-1(3)-diacylglycerol to formsn-2-mono-γ-linolenyl glycerol was also significantly slower when both thesn-1 andsn-3 positions in TG molecules were occupied by either saturated fatty acids (16:0 and 18:0) or long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids than when occupied by 18:2n-6. These findings suggest that the stereospecific position of 18:3n-6 in TG molecules and the constituent of its neighboring fatty acids modulated availability of 18:3n-6 from 18:3n-6-containing TG or 18:3n-6-rich oils.     

Determination of lipase specificity

Specificity of lipases is controlled by the molecular properties of the enzyme, structure of the substrate and factors affecting binding of the enzyme to the substrate. Types of specificity are as follows. I. Substrate: (a) different rates of lipolysis of TG, DG, and MG by the same enzyme; (b) separate enzymes from the same source for TG, DG and MG. II. Positional: (a) primary esters; (b) secondary esters; and (c) all three esters or nonspecific hydrolysis. III. Fatty acid, preference for similar fatty acids. IV. Stereospecificity: faster hydrolysis of one primarysn ester as compared to the other. V. Combinations of I–IV. Lipases with these specificities are: Ia, pancreatic; Ib, postheparin plasma. IIa, pancreatic; IIb,Geotrichum candidum, for fatty acids withcis-9-unsaturation, and IIc,Candida cylindracea. III,G. candidum for unsaturates. IV.sn-1, postheparin plasma andsn-3 human and rat lingual lipases. V. Rat lingual lipase. Methods for determination involve digestion of natural fats of known structure and synthetic acylglycerols followed by analysis of the lipolysis products. All of the types of specificity have been detected with use of synthetic acylglycerols. Detection of stereospecificity requires enantiomeric acylglycerols which are difficult to synthesize, so other methods have been developed. These involve the generation of 1,2-(2,3) DG and resolution of the enantiomers. Trioleoylglycerol or racemic TG can be used as substrates. If the lipase is stereospecific, then either thesn-1,2- or 2,3-enantiomer will predominate. The relative amounts of the enantiomers can be determined by measurement of specific rotation, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The DG can also be separated by conversion to phospholipids and hydrolysis with phospholipases A-2 or C. Applications of these procedures are discussed and data on the specificity of various lipases presented. Scientific Contribution No. 988, Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268. Trioleoylglycerol is 18∶1−18∶1−18∶1, etc. 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol issn-18∶1−18∶1−16∶0, with thesn-1 ester to the left. If the TG is racemic,rac is omitted.     

Effects of different medium-chain fatty acids on intestinal absorption of structured triacylglycerols

To study the effect of the chain length of medium-chain fatty acids on the intestinal absorption of long-chain fatty acids, we examined the lymphatic transport of fat following administration of five purified structured triacylglycerols (STAG) containing different medium-chain fatty acids in the sn-1, 3 positions and long-chain fatty acids in the sn-2 position in a rat model. Significant amounts of medium-chain fatty acids were found in lymph samples after intragastric administration of 1,3-dioctanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol (8∶0/18∶2/8∶0), 1,3-didecanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol, and 1,3-didodecanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol. The accumulated lymphatic transport of medium-chain fatty acids increased with increasing carbon chain length. The recoveries of caprylic acid (8∶0), capric acid (10∶0), and lauric acid (12∶0) were 7.3±0.9, 26.3±2.4, and 81.7±6.9%, respectively. No significant differences were observed for the maximal intestinal absorption of linoleic acid (18∶2n−6) when the chain length of medium-chain fatty acids at the primary positions was varied, and the absorption of 18∶2 and oleic acid (18∶1) from 8∶0/18∶2/8∶0 and 1,3-dioctanoyl-2-oleyl-sn-glycerol was similar. We conclude that the chain length of the medium-chain fatty acids in the primary positions of STAG does not affect the maximal intestinal absorption of long-chain fatty acids in the sn-2 position in the applied rat model, whereas the distribution of fatty acids between the lymphatics and the portal vein reflects the chain length of the fatty acids. Presented in part at the 3rd ISSFAL Conference, Lyon, France, June 1–5, 1998.     

Formation of trierucoylglycerol (trierucin) from 1,2-Dierucoylglycerol by a homogenate of microspore-derived embryos ofBrassica napus L

Homogenates of microspore-derived embryos of rape (Brassica napus L.) incubated with [1-¹⁴C]erucoyl-CoA and 1,2-dierucoylglycerol are able to assemble trierucoyl-glycerol (trierucin). In addition, radioactive triacylglycerols are formed by transferring [1-¹⁴C]-erucoyl moieties to endogenous lipid precursors. Stereospecific analysis of radioactive triacylglycerols revealed that labeled erucoyl moieties had been incorporated exclusively into thesn-1,3 positions with more than 95% of radioactivity in thesn-3 position. No incorporation of labeled erucic acid into thesn-2 position has been observed. All data agree with the involvement of 1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (E.C. 2.3.1.20), which utilized 1,2-dierucoylglycerol as well as endogenous 1,2-diacylglycerols as acceptors of erucoyl moieties. This result is of particular interest for the genetic modification of rape and other Cruciferae for producing trierucin in their seed oils. NRCC No. 33513.