Fatty acid patterns of Ranunculaceae seed oils: phylogenetic relationships

Abstract

The current interest in renewable resources has led to research regarding the occurrence and distribution of unusual and technically interesting fatty acids. Their sporadic occurrence in seed fats is genetically determined and they are highly significant indicators of phylogenetic relationships. Capillary gas chromatographic “fingerprints” of unusual fatty acids can be used in chemotaxonomic studies. In the family Ranunculaceae a large number of unusual fatty acids occurs and the seed fatty acid patterns observed are highly correlated to plant genus. Differences in fatty acid patterns illustrate a separate position of A. rivularis within the genus Anemone and show similarities between this species on the one hand and Caltha, Cimicifuga and Actaea on the other hand.