Phenyl-terminated fatty acids in seeds of various aroids.

A series of homologous omega-phenylalkanoic acids and omega-phenylalkenoic acids were isolated from seed lipids of various genera of the subfamily Aroideae of Araceae (the Jack-in-the-Pulpit family) and characterized. Besides the major acids, 11-phenylundecanoic acid, 13-phenyltridecanoic acid and 15-phenylpentadecanoic acid, all other homologous odd carbon number omega-phenylalkanoic acids from C7 to C23 were detected in trace amounts. Additionally, one even carbon number acid, 12-phenyldodecanoic acid was found in several specimens in trace amounts. Similarly, two series of homologous odd carbon number monounsaturated omega-phenylalkenoic acids were found and characterized using dimethyl disulfide derivatization to locate the positions of their double bonds. In five acids from C11 to C19, the double bond is located at the same distance, A7, from the phenyl ring. In the other two acids of C13 and C15 chain length, the double bond is located at delta5 from the phenyl ring.