Oxygenated fatty acids of oil from sunflower seeds after prolonged storage

Chemical analysis of a number of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed oil samples revealed a low and variable percentage of hydrogen bromide-reactive material. To characterize the compounds responsible for this reactivity, oil was extracted from selected introductions from Uruguay, Turkey, and Yugoslavia that had been subjected to prolonged storage. Two epoxy fatty acids and two conjugated dienolic acids were isolated from the methyl esters derived from these sunflower seed oils by using a combination of column chromatography and countercurrent distribution. The epoxy acids arecis-9,10-epoxystearic acid (0.5%) andcis-9,10-epoxy-cis-12-octadecenoic (coronaric) acid (2.2%). Characterization of the dienols revealed that they are 9-hydroxy-trans-10,cis-12-octadecadienoic acid (1.2%) and 13-hydroxy-cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoic acid (1.3%). Fresher seed of some of these introductions contained less of the oxygenated components.Oil from recently produced seed of selected high-oil Russian sunflower varieties, including some currently grown in the United States, contained no more than trace amounts of oxygenated acids. Though the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors toward genesis of oxygenated acids are not established, increase of those acids in some sunflower lines as a result of storage has been demonstrated.

Discrepancies between Radar Data and the Lunar Ephemeris

Precise measurements of the Doppler shift of radar waves reflected from Moon disclose unexpectedly large discrepancies-averaging about 0.6 centimeter per second-between the radial velocities and the predictions based on the Eckert-Brown lunar ephemeris. These residuals have a rapidly changing component corresponding to a relatively large, variable, and unexplained discrepancy in radial acceleration of about 10(-4) centimeter per second, per second, in magnitude and about 1 day in period.

Glyceride structure ofCardamine impatiens L. Seed oil

A group of unusual triglycerides, in which one of the acyl groups is a vicinal dihydroxy acid with one of the hydroxyl groups acetylated, has been isolated fromCardamine impatiens L. (Cruciferae) seed oil. Hydrolysis of these triglycerides with castor bean lipase facilitated isolation and identification of a mixture of C(18), C(20), C(22), and C(24) hydroxy acetoxy fatty acids. Pancreatic lipase hydrolysis data revealed that these monoacetylated dihydroxy acid residues are esterified exclusively with one of the alpha-positions of the glycerol moiety. The remaining acyl groups are comprised of ordinary C(18) unsaturated acids (which occupy 98% of the beta-position), palmitic acid, and C(20), C(22), and C(24) monoenoic fatty acids.

Articulation problems and ability to store and process stimuli

Twelve children with nonorganic articulation problems were matched in age, sex, and intelligence with 12 normal-speaking control children. Each subject’s recall of Single-, Sequential-, and Simultaneous-digit Sets was measured. There was also a Bead Pattern Recall Task. The children with nonorganic articulation problems were inferior to children with normal speech in tasks which required the recall of Single-, Sequential-, and Simultaneous-digit Sets. Meaningful differences between the two groups regarding short-term storage could not be found using a bead pattern recall task.

Optically active trihydroxy acids ofChamaepeuce seed oils

Two trihydroxy acids have been isolated fromChamaepeuce afra (Jacq.) DC, seed oil and identified as (+)-threo-9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic (phloionolic) acid (9%) and (+)-threo-9,10-,18-trihydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid (14%). The unsaturated acid has not previously been found in nature. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, thin-layer chromatography, optical rotation, and identification of the oxidative cleavage products show that these two trihydroxy components have the structures indicated.Chamaepeuce hispanica DC. seed oil and the seed oil of an unidentifiedChamaepeuce species apparently contain these same two acids but in different proportions fromC. afra oil.

Pentacylic triterpenes ofJurinea anatolic boiss. andJurinea consanguinea DC. Fruit

Pentacyclic triterpene alcohols, together with their acetate, myristate, and palmitate esters, comprise about 40% of the petroleum ether extract of the fruit (seed and pericarp) of twoJurinea species. All the triterpene esters and a porition of the free triterpene alcohols in theJ. anatolica extract are derived from the pericarp portion of the fruit. The triterpene alcohol moieties and their approximate percentage of the hydrolyzed extract ofJ. anatolica fruit are alpha-amyrin, 5%; beta-amyrin, 6%; lupeol, 6%; and psi-taraxasterol plus taraxasterol, 16%.J. consanguinea fruit extract yields essentially the same amount of the same five triterpene alcohols on hydrolysis. These concentrations of triterpenoid materials are believed to be the largest found in plant tissues.