Quantitative composition of the lipids of cucumber fruit (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber flesh contains lipids which are qualitatively similar to those of other non‐photosynthetic plant tissues. Phospholipids account for nearly half the weight of lipids. The neutral lipids are characterised by a high proportion of 1,2‐ and 1,3‐diacylglycerols relative to triacylglycerol. The sterol composition is similar to that reported for cucumber seedlings; β‐sitosterol together with C 29 unsaturated sterols being the major components. Linolenic acid is the major fatty acid component of the neutral, glycolipid and phospholipid fractions and this is reflected in the high levels (> 40%) present in all major lipid classes except phosphatidylethanolamine (25%).