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U.S. Department of Energy
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THE SYNTHESIS OF FATTY ACIDS IN A HIGHER PLANT. Final Report, July 1, 1953 to April 30, 1961

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4831920
Results are presented of investigations on synthesis of fatty acids in flax fruits and embryos, with a few experiments on flax stems and cotton and cactus seeds. Acetate and malonic acid were found to be precursors of fatty acids, and acetate is condensed "head-to-tail" to form fatty acids. The roles of biotin and light in fatty acid synthesis were elucidated. There are two pathways for fatty acid synthesis in the flax embryo, stearic and oleic acids being formed in one pathway and linoleic and linolenic acids in the other. ln aerobic cultures, stearic and oleic acids are first formed, then linoleic and linolenic acids begin to form, while under anaerobic conditions in the light, little or no linoleic or linolenic acid is formed. (D.L.C.)
Research Organization:
Arizona. Agricultural Experiment Station, Tucson
NSA Number:
NSA-16-001435
OSTI ID:
4831920
Report Number(s):
TID-14233
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English