title: The effect of a Tropaeolum speciosum oil supplement on the nervonic acid content of sphingomyelin in rat tissues.
abstract: The lipids of Tropaeolum speciosum (T. speciosum) are a rich source of naturally occurring nervonic acid (24:1n-9). We report that adding a T. speciosum oil supplement to a semi-purified diet significantly increased the amount of 24:1n-9 in liver and heart, but not brain, sphingomyelin (SM) of young rats. The bioavailability of 24:1n-9 from the lipids of T. speciosum was similar to that of 24:1n-9 ethyl ester in this rat bioassay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
authors.forename: W J.
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Bettger
authors.forename: M L.
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: McCorquodale
authors.forename: C B.
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Blackadar