Investigations of the origin of the furan fatty acids (F‐acids)

Abstract

The possible role of linoleic acid as a biogenetic precursor of the furan fatty acids (F-acids) was investigated in in vivo experiments in the rat, using a C₁₉ analogue of linoleic acid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. No evidence of incorporation of this compound into the F-acids was found. Using an improved analysis procedure by converting F-acids into their tetrahydrofuran derivatives (enabling a separation from the large amounts of normal fatty acids), F-acids (F₃, F₄ and F₆) were detected in rat food, correcting earlier results. Quantification of F-acid intake with food and excretion of furandicarboxylic acids in the urine, suggested the possibility that the F-acids are not produced de novo in the rat, but instead accumulate in tissue after nutritional intake.