Identification and quantitative determination of the lipids of Alocasia macrorrhiza tubers

Abstract
The identity, composition and concentration of each of the major lipids found in Alocasia tubers were investigated using a combination of chromatographic procedures. On a weight to weight basis, the neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids comprised 60.5, 19.0 and 20.5% respectively while the total extractable lipids accounted for 0.6% of the dry weight. In addition to the conventional lipid classes of tubers, the presence of tri‐ and tetragalactosyl diglycerides was confirmed. The predominant fatty acid in each lipid class was linoleic acid with palmitic, oleic and linolenic acids being the other ones. In general, a high degree of unsaturation (66%), similar for most tuber lipids, was established for the component fatty acids of Alocasia.