Lipid metabolism in germinating flaxseed

Abstract

Abstract Flaxseed was germinated in the dark at 25C for 90 hr and the amt of triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFA) and phospholipids, as well as the fatty acid composition of each, were determined at 18‐hr intervals. The amt of FFA increased greatly during germination. There was no preferential metabolism of any particular fatty acid in either the triglyceride or FFA fractions. The percentage of linolenic acid in the phospholipids increased as germination progressed. Behenic, lignoceric and cerotic acids were observed in the FFA fraction after 54 hr of germination. Odd‐numbered saturated and unsaturated acids, indicative of an a ‐oxidation mechanism, were observed in the FFA fraction at 54 hr and in the triglyceride fraction at 72 hr.