| Abstract: | Seed oils from the Compositae plant family are known to contain a variety of unusual fatty acids. Subsequent to the recent discovery of γ‐linolenic acid in Saussurea and Youngia, further Mongolian Compositae species were investigated for their seed oil fatty acid composition. A number of δ3trans‐fatty acids (16 : 1δ3t, 18 : 1δ3t and 18 : 3δ3t, 9c, 12c) were found in the seed oils of Heteropappus hispidus and Asterothamnus centrali‐asiaticus. The latter fatty acid, but not the trans‐monoenes, was also found in one species of Artemisia. These unusual fatty acid isomers were characterized by capillary gas‐liquid chromatographic (GLC) separations in combination with other chromatographic techniques (analytical thin layer chromatography, TLC and preparative argentation TLC), and infrared spectrocsopy (IR). Their identity was further confirmed by co‐chromatography with other seed oils known to contain these trans‐fatty acids. The fact that within the Compositae plant family there are apparently two or three distinct groups of genera containing δ3trans‐fatty acids is discussed. |
