Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 19, 148-153, Copyright © 1978 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Hydrocarbon and multibranched ester waxes from the uropygial gland secretion of grebes (Podicipediformes)
J Jacob
The uropygial gland secretion of some grebes (Podicipediformes) had been
shown to contain saturated and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and
monoester waxes. While ester waxes are common constituents of preen gland
secretions, nonisoprenoid hydrocarbons have not been detected hitherto. The
wax constituents are very complex, belonging to several multibranched
homologous series, including unusual acids with ethyl branches. The waxes
were identified by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and
equivalent chain length comparisons. A method for the prediction of
equivalent chain length values of unknown methyl esters is offered. The
results are discussed from a chemotaxonomic viewpoint.