| Abstract: | The fatty acid composition of cardiolipin from the Harderian gland of guinea pig was examined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. At least 33 kinds of fatty acids were detected. Oleic acid was the most prominent component, accounting for 18.2 mol% of the total fatty acids. About 70.2 mol% of fatty acids had methyl branches. Ethyl branches were also detected (1.3 mol%). Straight chain saturated acids comprised only 10.3 mol%. On the other hand, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids were not found in this lipid. The 2-(2'-) acyl moieties contained larger amounts of oleic acid and smaller amounts of branched chain acids than the 1-(1'-)acyl moieties, but the saturated straight chain acids showed even distribution between the 1-(1'-) and 2-(2'-)positions. The fatty acids of cardiolipin from the liver of the same animal were also examined. Linoleic acid was the most abundant component (66.9 mol%), and saturated straight chain acids occupied 21.9 mol%. Branched chain acids were detected but comprised only 11.2 mol%. |
