Fatty acids of Aceraceae seed oils

Abstract

Seed oils of 18 species of Aceraceae (maple family) were examined and their fatty acid compositions were determined. Those of all but one species had substantial amounts of C₂₀, C₂₂, and C₂₄cis-monoenoic acids. Acer rubrum, typical of the group, had 7% eicosenoic, 13% docosenoic, and 4% tetracosenoic acid in the total fatty acids of its oil. The chief isomers, identified in the oil of A. saccharum, were cis-11-eicosenoic, cis-13-docosenoic, and cis-15-tetracosenoic acids. The oils of Dipteronia sinensis and Acer negundo were much like the other Acer oils in composition, but that of A. saccharinum was composed almost entirely of the ordinary C₁₆and C₁₈fatty acids. The results are discussed in relation to the taxonomy of the family.