A study on the biosynthesis ofcis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid.

Preliminary studies show that red stem, rust-infected wheat plants provide a means for investigating the biosynthesis of epoxy fatty acids. The incorporation of 1-(14)C-acetate intocis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid occurs at the stage of the infection when sporulation is proceeding, and at the same stage there is at least a fourfold increase in the synthesis of other fatty acids. The epoxy acid appears to be formed by the condensation of acetate units in a process that requires oxygen and is not stimulated appreciably by light.Labeled stearic and oleic acid are also incorporated into the epoxy acid without undergoing beta-oxidation. The rate of conversion of oleic acid is greater than stearic acid, thus indicating that oleic acid is an immediate precursor to 9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid.