Lipid content and fatty acid composition of seeds of Ailanteus altissima (Mill) Swingle (Simaroubaceae)

In Ailanthus altissima seeds, the total lipids representing about 39 per cent dry weight were located in both cotyledons and endosperm. Of total lipids, 93 per cent and 89 per cent consisted of triacyclglycerols in endosperm and cotyledons respectively. Of the polar lipids, phospholipids represented the major components and galactolipids were found only in cotyledons. The main fatty acids were 18:2 (linoleic), 18:2 (oleic) and 16:0 (palmitic).