The seed fat of the kerguelen cabbage (Pringlea Antiscorbutica)

Abstract

The seed fat of the Kerguelen cabbage, an isolated member of the Cruciferae, has been analysed. The fatty acids have been found to include erucic acid as a major component (13.5%). cis‐II‐Eicosenoic acid is also present in approximately equal amount (13.8%), together with linolenic acid (30.3%) and linoleic acid (20.1%). Other acids are present in smaller amounts. Analysis of the fat has been made by ester distillation and also by amplified distillation of the methyl esters of the saturated acids and of the hydrogenated acids. The merits of the two methods are compared. The oxidation of the monoenoic acids to dihydroxy‐acids with performic acid is a convenient method for their characterization.