The occurrence of diastereomers of phytanic and pristanic acids and their determination by gas-liquid chromatography.
The methyl esters of phytanic (3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecanoic) and pristanic (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecanoic) acids derived from phytol each can be resolved into two diastereomers by gas-liquid chromatography on an efficient open-tubular, gas-liquid chromatographic column with a polyester coating. Authentic D,D,D isomers prepared from the lipids of bacteriumH. cutirubrum gave only one peak. In mammals the D,D,D isomers usually predominate, but in marine life the L,D,D isomers apparently are the principal forms. The origin and metabolic roles of the diastercomers are discussed.
Ackman
R G
RG
Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Halifax Laboratory, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Hansen
R P
RP