Lipids of the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) from North Atlantic waters. IV. Fin whale milk

Abstract

Fatty acid compositions were determined for total lipid (17.5% of the milk and > 95% triglycerides), 2-monoglyceride obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of isolated triglyceride, and isolated phospholipid (~1% of total lipids). The total lipid fatty acids of the milk had a composition similar to fin whale depot fat but were enriched in hexadecanoic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids at the expense of monoethylenic acids; correspondingly the iodine value of 136 (methyl esters) was higher than the normal range (105–120) of North Atlantic fin whale blubber oils. Over 80% of the fatty acids in the 2-position of the triglycerides were accounted for by relatively short chain fatty acids, especially hexadecanoic (54.6%), tetradecanoic (13.7%), and hexadecenoic (11.2%), so that the ester iodine value was only 48. The milk phospholipids had a fatty acid composition basically similar to that of liver phospholipids (methyl ester iodine value 120) with somewhat more polyunsaturated fatty acids and accordingly an iodine value of 144 for methyl esters.