Diplocyclos palmatus L.: a new seed source of punicic acid

The seeds ofDiplocyclos palmatus L. (Cucurbitaceae) contained 23% oil and 15% protein. The UV, IR,1H‐NMR and13C‐NMR spectrometry of the oil, and oxidation, reduction and gas liquid chromatography (GLC) of the methyl ester of conjugated fatty acid isolated by preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed the presence of punicic (octadeca‐cis‐9,trans‐11,cis‐13‐trienoic) acid. The fatty acid composition (wt %), as determined by GLC, is: punicic, 38.2; 18∶2, 43.9; 16∶0, 8.1; 18∶0, 4.9 and 18∶1, 4.9.