Deposition of Erucic Acid in Swine Tissue Lipids

Swine were maintained for 6 weeks on practical corn–soy diets containing 10% corn oil (Zea mays) or 10% rapeseed oil (Brassica napus). Tissue lipids were extracted and subjected to fatty acid analysis. Erucic acid deposition was greatest in plasma and adipose tissue lipids, accounting for more than 7% of the total fatty acids. In the spleen, adrenal, erythrocyte, and heart, 22:1 comprised 3–5% of the total acids, whereas in the ovary, liver, kidney, and testis, only 1–3% was found. Eicosenoic acid was present in approximately the same concentration as erucic acid in most tissues. Generally, more oleic and palmitoleic acid and less linoleic acid occurred in the tissues from pigs receiving rapeseed oil. There was no marked influence of dietary fat on tissue polyunsaturated acids.