Nature of alkanes in beef heart lipids

Abstract

N-Alkanes have been found to be the major saturated hydrocarbon components in the fatty tissues on beef heart. These alkanes consist of a homologous series C₁₄–C₃₅, with the C₂₉ and C₃₁ n-alkanes being most abundant. C₁₆, C₁₉, and C₂₀ isoprenoid alkanes also were identified. A C₁₇ isoprenoid alkane tentatively was identified. The fatty tissues on beef heart contained 32 μg/g saturated hydrocarbons. The distribution pattern of these saturated hydrocarbons is in marked contrast to the alkane distribution in beef liver where branched and cyclic alkanes are predominant. The enrichment and the similarity of the n-alkane distribution in the fatty tissues on heart and in pasture plants may have implications for the physiological aspects of hydrocarbons in the diet.