Nature of alkanes in beef heart lipids.

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 mug/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.