SummarySeed oils from the Compositae plant family are known to contain a variety of unusual fatty acids. Subsequent to the recent discovery of c-linolenic acid in Saussurea and Youngia, further Mongolian Compositae species were investigated for their seed oil fatty acid composition. A number of D3trans-fatty acids (16 : 1D3t, 18 : 1D3t and 18 : 3D3t, 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 D3trans-fatty acids is discussed.

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