Oxygenated fatty acids isolated from wheat bran slurries.

Oxygenated fatty acids are classified as secondary metabolites in wheat, produced by oxidation of free fatty acids (FFAs). Oxygenated fatty acids have significant impact on the organoleptic and sensory properties of food products and participate in regulation of defense and developmental processes in plants. The objective of this study was to identify oxygenated fatty acids from wheat flour slurries. Wheat bran/water slurries were incubated for 4 h and freeze dried. Total lipids were extracted in chloroform/methanol/water; and methylated and silylated FFAs were analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Seven oxygenated fatty acids were identified, (A) 12,13-dihydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, (B) 9-hydroxy-10,12-octadecadienoic acid, (C) 13-hydroxy-9cis,11trans-octadecadienoic acid, (D) 9,10,13-trihydroxy-11trans-octadecenoic acid, (E) 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10trans,15cis-octadecadienoic acid, (F) 10-oxo-13-hydroxy-11trans-octadecenoic acid and (G) 12-oxo-13-hydroxy-octadecanoic acid, in wheat bran slurries. Our results are important for whole wheat food applications since oxygenated fatty acids can result in bitter flavors in the final product.