Synthetic lecithins containing one short-chain fatty acid and their breakdown by phospholipase A

Abstract

The synthesis is described of two structurally isomericL -α-lecithins containing as fatty acid residues butyric acid and oleic acid. Phospholipase A (EC 3.1.1.4) from Crotalus adamanteus hydrolysed the β-fatty acid linkage irrespective of the nature of the fatty acid constituent, though (γ-oleoyl-β-butyryl)-L-α-lecithin was found to be much more readily attacked than (γ-butyryl-β-oleoyl)-L-α-lecithin.