Fatty acid composition of corn endosperm and germ oils as influenced by different extraction procedures

Abstract Gas liquid chromatography was used to determine fatty acid composition of oil obtained from corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines by different extraction procedures. Kernels were separated into endosperm and germ fractions for nine inbreds which had a considerable range in fatty acid composition of oil. Oil obtained from the endosperm by different extraction procedures was significantly different in composition for all fatty acids. Oil obtained from the germ by different extraction procedures was similar in fatty acid composition. The differences in response of endosperm and germ oils to extraction procedures were attributed to the type of lipid found in each fraction. It was concluded that choice of extraction procedures was of little importance in studies of oil from the corn germ, but that specific extraction procedures must be recognized as a factor when studying oil composition of the endosperm.