The Stereochemistry of α‐Oxidation of Fatty Acids in Leaves

When [U‐14C]palmitic acid is incubated with a particulate fraction obtained from young pea leaves, [14C]pentadecanal accumulates. L‐[U‐14C, 2‐3H]Palmitic acid similarly yields [14C]pentadecanal which retains the tritium (90% retention). D‐[U‐14C, 2‐3H]Palmitic acid gives [14C]‐pentadecanal with loss of tritium (13% retention). These results suggest that D‐2‐hydroxypalmitic acid is an intermediate in this reaction, but that L‐2‐hydroxypalmitic acid and 2‐ketopalmitic acid are not. The mechanism of α‐oxidation of palmitic acid in leaves is discussed.