A detailed triglyceride analysis of Lesquerella fendleri oil: Column chromatographic fractionation followed by supercritical fluid chromatography

The triglyceride structure of oil from Lesquerella fendleri, a potential new U.S. crop, rich in C-20 hydroxy fatty acids, was examined by silica gel column chromatographic fractionation followed by supercritical fluid chromatography. The analysis confirmed previous findings derived by our research group, but provided further detail. The analysis demonstrated the presence of trihydroxy triglyceride, which contained all of the oil's C-18 hydroxy acyl groups (present at less than 0.5% in the oil). Lipolysis indicated that these groups were located solely at the 2-position. In addition, a strong correlation was detected between the presence of alpha-linolenic (18:3(9,12,15))and auricolic (20:2(11,17) OH14) acids in triglycerides.