Paraffinic hydrocarbon composition of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris)

Abstract
The paraffinic hydrocarbon fraction of the lipids extracted from earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) contains ca. 88%n‐alkanes and 12% branched alkanes and other hydrocarbons. Then‐alkanes range from C13 through C33, and their most interesting feature is the even‐over‐odd carbon number predominance in the C13−C24 range. The nonnormal hydrocarbons consist primarily of monomethyl‐substituted alkanes. Other hydrocarbons that have been identified include the C16. C18, C19 and C20 isoprenoids and the C18, C20 and C22n‐alkylcyclohexanes.