Isolation and Identification of Diacylglyceryl-O-4'-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine from the Fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L.

Diacylglyceryl-O-4'-(N,N,N-trimethyl)-homoserine was isolatedfrom fronds of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L. and identifiedby chemical and spectral analyses. Positional analysis of thefatty acids by lipase treatment showed that palmitic acid wasesterified at position 1, but linoleic, linolenic and arachidonicacids at position 2 of the glycerol moiety of the lipid. Althoughthe trimethylhomoserine lipid has been found in some algal species,this is the first report that it exists in a vascular plant. (Received April 9, 1983; Accepted June 22, 1983)