The genus Dracunculus--a source of triacylglycerols containing odd-numbered ω-phenyl fatty acids.

Reversed phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/MS-APCI) was used to identify and quantify triacylglycerols (TAGs) having odd-numbered ω-phenylalkanoic acids from seeds of the flower plant Dracunculus vulgaris, and TAGs from the bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis prepared by precursor directed biosynthesis from phenylalanine and having the corresponding even-numbered ω-phenylalkanoic acids. Model compounds, which are not commercially available, were prepared by organic synthesis and this allowed us to extend the number of identified natural TAGs to nearly 140 molecular species. Both synthetic and natural compounds containing ω-phenylalkanoic acids were found to have antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.