Fatty acid composition of sterol esters from Citrus sinensis,C. paradisi,C. limon aurantifolia and C. limettioides sacs

The fatty acid compositions of sterol esters from 4 citrus species, viz, orange. grapefruit, lemon and lime, were determined by GLC. Each species possessed its own intrinsic fatty acid pattern which could be used to differentiate it from the other species. In most cases varieties within a species had fatty acid patterns which could be used for varietal differentiation. In all citrus tested except Columbia lime, the major acid was linoleic acid; this acid varied from 10 to 56% of the total acid content. The ratios of 16/16:1 were distinct for each citrus species. The C₂₂-C₂₉ fatty acids were prevalent in citrus sterol esters ranging from 6·5% for some orange and grapefruit varieties to over 41% for two lime varieties. In all varieties C₂₄ was the most prominent of these longer chain fatty acids. Argentation TLC indicated that these longer chain fatty acids primarily were esterified to dimethyl sterols. ft*|One of the laboratories of the Southern Region, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.