Fatty Acid Composition in Tobacco I. Green Tobacco Plants

Abstract

The major fatty acids (16 and 18 carbons) in leaves, flowers, and seeds of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. ''Catterton* have been analyzed at various intervals during the growth period. From the pattern of 80159-80174 PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS [Vol. 49] 7190 their accumulation and relative distribution, it was found that the amount of fatty acids in upper young leaves attained a maximum about 75 days after transplanting, which is the time of early flowering, while in older leaves the fatty acids continuously declined; the relative amount of linolenic acid (183) increased progressively with leaf development, from 30% at an early stage to 60% at maturity, while other fatty acids (18:2, 18:0, and 16:0) decreased during the same period, indicating a progressive desaturation; and a rapid increase of fatty acids was found as flowers developed into seedpods, particularly of linoleic acid (18:2), which comprises 75% of tobacco seed oil. Air-curing resulted in a loss of fatty acids, especially the unsaturated ones.