Lipids of maturing grain of corn (Zea mays L.): I. Changes in lipid classes and fatty acid composition

Abstract

The total ]ipids of the grain from three strains of corn were compared throughout the growing season. The Illinois High Oil stock and the two inbreds, H51 and K6, represented high, intermediate and low oil-producing lines. In all three strains lipid synthesis was most active between 15 and 45 days after pollination. The lipids were extracted from the grain with a mixture of chloroform, methanol and water and were separated into classes by silicic acid and thin layer chromatography. Triglyeerides constituted 10-17% of the total lipids at ]0 days after pollination and increased to 75-92% at 75 days. Polar lipids at 10 days represented 70-72% and at 75 days 4-21%. Fatty acid compositions of the triglyeerides and polar lipids changed as the grain matured, but the fatty acids of the polar lipids were more saturated than those of the triglycerides throughout the sampling periods. The major polar lipids were digalactosyl diglyceride, monogalactosyl diglyceride, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl inositol and phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

Fatty acid accumulation in the different fractions of the developing corn kernel

“…2. As the corn kernel developed, the percentage of palmitic acid decreased rapidly between 20 and 30 DAP and then remained nearly stable until maturity, in agreement with the results of Poneleit and Davis (1972) and Weber (1969). Oleic acid and linoleic acid exhibited contrasting accumulation patterns in the maturing whole corn kernel; the percentage of linoleic acid increased whilst the oleic acid percentage decreased.…”

“…Numerous studies reported the developmental changes in the oil content of the maturing whole corn kernel (Harrabi et al, 2007;Weber, 1969). The distribution of the total lipid in the different fractions of mature corn kernel has been examined (Harrabi et al, 2008).…”

“…Furthermore, one of the main objectives of industry is to identify plant matrices rich in Bruni et al (2002) analysed Ecuadorian Theobroma subincanum seed parts to determine quali-quantitative tocopherol, fatty acids and sterols distributions. A number of studies have been reported concerning the developmental changes in the fatty acid composition of the whole corn kernel (Poneleit & Davis, 1972;Weber, 1969). However, there is limited information on the fatty acid distribution within corn kernel during maturation.…”

Phospholipids in Castor Seeds

“…Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid were found in every phospholipids at a high contents. Generally, in most seeds, the ratio of saturated acids to unsaturated acids in phospholipids is higher than that in TG, 5) and the same tendency was observed also in castor seeds. The fatty acids of PI had a higher percentage of palmitic acid and consequently were more saturated than PE and PC.…”

Sterol Accumulation and Composition in Developing Zea mays L. Kernels

“…Sterol composition has not been determined during the development of the seeds with the exception of one study designed to determine changes in lipid classes and fatty acid composition of developing maize kernels (17). Sterols were 'The investigation reported in this paper (No. column.…”