Thermal induction of 9t12t linoleic acid: A new pathway for the formation of Conjugated Linoleic Acids

Abstract

Thermal induction of 9t12t fatty acid leading to the formation of Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA) has been demonstrated by subjecting glyceride, and methyl ester of the acid to heat treatment. Fifteen micro liter portions of the glyceride sample containing 9t12t fatty acid (trilinoelaidin) were placed in micro glass ampoules and sealed under nitrogen and then subjected to thermal treatment at 250oC. The glass ampoules were taken out at regular time intervals, and the contents were subjected to composition analysis by gas chromatography. The samples from each ampoule were subjected to derivatisation into their methyl esters. The methyl esters of the isomerised fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. The same procedure was repeated with methyl ester samples containing 9t12t fatty acid (methyl linoelaidate). The gas chromatographic analysis was carried out after appropriate dilution in heptane.

The results show that the thermal induction of 9t12t fatty acids from both glyceride molecules and methyl esters give identical Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) profiles. These profiles are identical to the profile obtained by the thermal induction of 9c12c fatty acids