Galactolipids

General formula of galactolipids. R ¹ and R ² are fatty acids

Galactolipids (also called galactolipids ) are a group of chemical substances made up of galactose (sugar), a fatty acid component and a molecule of glycerine . The type of fatty acids that are linked to the glycerine ( ester bond ) determine the name and chemical behavior. Galactolipids are fat-soluble and thermolabile. The molecule irreversibly denatures at temperatures above 40 ° C.

A typical representative is (2 S ) -1,2-Di- O - [(9 Z , 12 Z , 15 Z ) -octadeca-9,12,15-trienoyl] -3- O- β- D -galactopyranosylglycerol . It is also called "GOPO", derived from the correct chemical name. The sugar component is a galactose, which is on C3 of the glycerol. At C1 and C2 there is an α-linolenic acid each .

Occurrence

Galactolipids occur naturally as secondary plant substances in plants. The fruit ( rose hip ) of the dog rose ( Rosa canina ), especially the lito subspecies, is particularly rich in galactolipids .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Entry on rose hip powder in Pharmawiki , accessed on January 28, 2017.