Dihydroxy fatty acids in<i>Cardamine impatiens</i> seed oil

Abstract

Abstract The oil of Cardamine impatiens L. (Cruciferae) seed includes glycerides of a series of saturated long‐chain vicinal dihydroxy fatty acids, which make up 25% by weight of the mixed fatty acids. The mixture of diols, after transesterification of the oil with methanol, can be crystallized from an ether solution of the mixed methyl esters and has the following composition: methyl 13,14‐dihydroxydocosanoate, 66%; methyl 15,16‐dihy‐droxytetracosanoate, 24%; methyl 9,10‐dihydroxyoctadecanoate and methyl 11,12‐dihydroxyeicosanoate, about 5% each. Chemical proof is presented showing that essentially all the diols have the crythro configuration.