Fatty Acids Synthesized by Soy Bean Seed Slices from Acetate-¹⁴C

Abstract

The incorporation of acetate-1-¹⁴C into lipids and their component fatty acids and the distribution of radioactivity in the fatty acids in slices of soy bean seeds during maturation were studied. The results were as follows:
1. High radioactivity was found in phosphatidylcholine in all samples. About the same radioactivity was detected, when the slices were incubated either under nitrogen or air.
2. The radioactive fatty acids synthesized under nitrogen was mainly stearic acid, while under air, oleic acid was detected in about the same amount.
3. The distribution of radioactivity in stearic acid synthesized under nitrogen, as determined by Schmidt's decarboxylation reaction, gave the value of 8.77. This indicates that stearic acid is formed by de novo synthesis.
4. For the desaturation of saturated fatty acid from the slices, oxygen was required.