Variation in the content of tocopherols and distribution of fatty acids within soya bean seeds (Glycine max L.)

Regional distribution of tocopherols and fatty acids within three soya beans was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas–liquid chromatography, respectively. Tocopherols were predominantly detected in axis, followed by cotyledons and seed coat. Dominant components were γ- and δ-tocopherols, with much smaller amounts of α- and β-tocopherols. However, α-tocopherol was higher (P<0.05) in axis than other tissues. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) were the major component of total lipids, representing 92.0% in cotyledons and 70.0% in axis or coat. A small difference (P<0.05) occurred in fatty acid profile of TAGs when comparing seed coat to the axis. The fatty acid composition of phosphatidyl inositol differed (P<0.05) from phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline in each tissue. These results indicate that the differences in soya bean cultivars would be appreciable, based on the distribution of tocopherols and fatty acids in each component part within soya bean seeds.